ODI WORLD CUP

Kumble Slams World Cup 2019 Squad’s Blunder in Rayudu’s Omission

Ambati Rayudu

Former India head coach Anil Kumble criticized the exclusion of Ambati Rayudu from the ODI World Cup 2019 squad, considering it a significant mistake. It is worth noting that despite captain Virat Kohli endorsing Rayudu as the team’s no. 4 batsman. Kumble’s comments shed light on the dissatisfaction surrounding Rayudu’s absence and the potential error made in overlooking his inclusion.

“Rayudu should have played the 2019 World Cup. Oh yes, there’s no doubt about it. It was a huge blunder. You prepared him for that role for so long and his name just disappears from the squad. It was surprising nonetheless,”

Kumble said.

The team management opted for Vijay Shankar over Rayudu, describing him as a player possessing three-dimensional skills. Surprisingly, despite injuries to Shankar and Shikhar Dhawan during the tournament, Shankar’s replacement was not announced. Instead, Rishabh Pant and Mayank Agarwal were included in the squad. These decisions highlight the choices made by the team management and the subsequent exclusions and replacements made during the course of the World Cup.

Rayudu had the backing of Virat Kohli ahead of the World Cup

Captain Virat Kohli touted Ambati Rayudu as India’s solution for the number 4 position in 2018, giving him a six-month opportunity from September 2018 to March 2019. Rayudu performed reasonably well during this period, scoring 639 runs in 21 ODIs, including one century and four fifties.

Expressing his frustration over his omission, Rayudu took to Twitter and humorously stated that he had ordered new 3D glasses to watch the World Cup. He briefly announced his retirement from international cricket but later retracted his decision. Unfortunately, Rayudu never played India again after that. Leading him to bid farewell to his career after playing 55 ODIs and six T20Is, leaving him disheartened by the turn of events.

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