Ambati Rayudu - India

Picture Credit: Twitter

Although Ambati Rayudu last featured for the Indian national cricket team in 2019 and the selectors seemingly have moved beyond him. The batter has been a regular part of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and has been a pretty consistent performer. The right-handed batter has time and again played some impressive knocks to bail his team out of trouble even in the IPL as well as in the domestic circuit.

In a recent interview, Rayudu talked about what lies ahead of him and how he sees his cricketing future at 36-years of age. He said that he would want to play for at least three more years and stated that he was working on his fitness.

"I would love to keep playing till I am in good form and fit. I will be ready for the next cycle, which is three years and I am working hard on my fitness," Rayudu was quoted as saying by The New Indian Express.

The Andhra Pradesh batter felt that he was in good shape after having participated in the recently concluded Vijay Hazare trophy.

"I recently played the Vijay Hazare Trophy which is five one-day games in six days which I got through well. I am in good shape and I hope to continue to play at least for the next three years," he stated.

Rayudu has been a regular for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League after being included by the MS Dhoni-led franchise in 2018.

I feel unfortunate about missing out on the Test cap: Ambati Rayudu

While acknowledging the fact that it was his consistent performances in the cash-rich league that helped him make a place for himself in the national team, he said that he feels unfortunate that he could not play a Test match for India. However, the former Mumbai Indians batter said that he does not regret not getting the Test cap since he gave it his best shot.

"It is a great honor to represent India and I am happy that I represented India in the white ball format-ODI and T20Is. I feel unfortunate about missing out on the Test cap. But I don’t regret it as I have given my best. I am happy for the opportunities I got to represent the team and that in itself is a great honor," he said.

With Rayudu being released by CSK ahead of the mega auctions, it would be interesting to see who gets hold of him at the auctions since the franchises will also be aiming to build a side for the future, adding a bit of experience with youth.