Ambati Rayudu is all set to make a comeback in Hyderabad side after a period of six seasons as it is learnt that the Indian middle order batsman has asked Vidarbha Cricket Association to provide him with No Objection Certificate (NOC) so he could return back to his native state team.
Rayudu made his first-class debut for Hyderabad in 2001/02 domestic season. After spending 11 seasons with them, he shifted to Baroda which have the likes of Yusuf Pathan and Irfan Pathan. After six seasons with Baroda, Rayudu decided to switch to Vidarbha side last season. The move seemed to be influenced by Paras Mhambrey, who is also part of Mumbai Indians and Vidarbha coaching staff.
It is learnt that Rayudu will not just make a comeback but will also lead the side taking over reins from Subramaniam Badrinath. In fact, it was Badrinath who switched to Hyderabad last season from Vidarbha. He led Hyderabad to the quarter-final stage, with team emerging as table toppers in Group C as well. They lost a crunch game to Mumbai which marked the end of their journey in Ranji Trophy 2016/17.
Rayudu’s addition in the team will be a great boost for budding youngsters like Mohammed Siraj and Chama Milind, who did well in the last season.
– Pragyan Ojha Planning To Move Back To Hyderabad
In the other news, it is also learnt that Pragyan Ojha is also looking to make a comeback for his native team after spending two seasons with Bengal. Ojha left Hyderabad before the start of the 2015/16 season on the advice of Sourav Ganguly to play for a big team. However, he was made to feel to be an outsider when he was involved in a spat with Ashok Dinda, who pinched Ojha by calling him an outsider.
Later, though, the matter was put to rest but it looks like Ojha is still not feeling comfortable in Bengal camp. Ojha was significant for Bengal in Vijay Hazare Trophy as he scalped 15 wickets in nine games. He recorded his best spell against of 5/71 against Jharkhand in the semi-final, which also included wicket of in-form man MS Dhoni. Bengal, though, lost a low scoring final to Tamil Nadu.
With Ojha also looking to make a comeback, Hyderabad is surely marking itself as one of the best teams in the upcoming season who can emulate their performance of the previous year.