Ambati Rayudu comes straight on Virat Kohli's backing

Ambati Rayudu was given multiple opportunities in India’s middle-order leading up to the 2019 ODI World Cup, where he performed reasonably well in the chances he received. Despite his solid performances, Rayudu was surprisingly excluded from the World Cup squad, with the selection committee opting for Vijay Shankar, a player known for his all-round capabilities. This decision, made under the leadership of Virat Kohli, left many fans and experts puzzled, as Rayudu appeared to be a reliable option for the middle-order. Earlier this year, former India cricketer Robin Uthappa shared his views on Virat Kohli’s leadership style, particularly regarding player preferences. Uthappa suggested that Kohli had a tendency to favor certain players, which may have influenced team selections.

In response, Rayudu addressed these comments, clarifying his stance on the matter. The middle-order batter made it clear that he had no ill feelings regarding the exclusion and acknowledged the team’s need for balance and versatility. He also offered his views on Kohli's leadership, emphasizing that while every captain has his own way of making decisions, Kohli's leadership was always focused on the team’s overall success. Rayudu's comments shed light on his perspective on the incident and offered insight into his experience under Kohli's captaincy.

"If Virat Kohli didn't like anyone, he didn't feel someone was good, then they were cut. (Ambati) Rayudu is the prime example. You feel bad. Everybody has preferences, I agree, but you cannot close the door on a player after taking him to the cusp," former Indian cricketer Robin Uthappa had said speaking to Lallantop.

"He had World Cup clothes and a World Cup kit bag; everything was there at his home. A player would be thinking that he is going to the World Cup. But you shut the door on him. That wasn't fair according to me," he had explained.

Rayudu acknowledged that Virat Kohli had provided him with numerous opportunities during his captaincy, giving him a fair chance to prove his worth in the middle order. Despite this, the former Hyderabad batter candidly shared his views on Kohli’s leadership, admitting that while Kohli was passionate and driven, he also had his shortcomings as a leader. Rayudu highlighted that Kohli’s intense focus on his preferences sometimes led to certain decisions, which could have been challenging for players who were not always in his favored plans. While he respected Kohli's leadership style, Rayudu suggested that there were moments where alternative approaches could have been considered to ensure a more balanced squad selection. His comments reflect a nuanced perspective on Kohli's tenure as captain, recognizing both the positives and the areas where Kohli's leadership could have been more inclusive and accommodating.

"What Uthappa was trying to say is that Kohli has strong likes and dislikes. But in my case, Kohli was the one who backed me. He liked me. Under his captaincy, I played many games for India. He was the one who brought me into the team. He understands the struggle because he is also from a humble background. He has played tremendous cricket," stated Ambati Rayudu in a recent podcast. 

During Virat Kohli's captaincy, Ravi Shastri served as the head coach and MSK Prasad was the chief selector, and Rayudu believes that the decision to exclude him from India's 2019 World Cup squad was a collective one. Rayudu acknowledged that the team management, including Shastri and Prasad, made the decision in the hope that it would benefit the team, particularly with the inclusion of Vijay Shankar, who was chosen for his all-round abilities. Rayudu firmly stated that there was no personal vendetta behind his exclusion, emphasizing that the decision was made in the best interest of the team at that time.

Rayudu also pointed out that despite his exclusion, he never held any personal grudges against the individuals involved in the decision-making process. He respected the fact that the team management had their reasons, even if it meant he wasn't included in the final squad. This shows Rayudu's professionalism and understanding of team dynamics, highlighting that the decision was a cricketing one and not motivated by any personal biases.