Dejected, Bidding Goodbye!

Ambati Rayudu’s decision to bid adieu to cricket was an impulsive one for sure. But it, in a way, is truly representative of his character.

- V. V. Subrahmanyam

Right from the early days, when he slammed a stunning 153 not out chasing a target of 156 for Bhavan’s, Sainikpuri, in an inter-college one-day tournament in Hyderabad, Ambati Rayudu was believed to be a special cricketer who would scale great heights.

But destiny deemed it otherwise.

Despite a sensational start in age-group tournaments thanks to his first coach, the late Vijaya Paul — he hit a century against the West Indies in the under-15 World Cup — Rayudu remained an enigma of sorts.

Not very often does the sport come across such a bundle of natural talent. It’s not that Rayuduwas incapable of inconsistency; there was a lack of discipline in his attitude, both on and off the field, that has proved costly.

A genius who defied the copybook style of batting, Rayudu was always a delight to watch, as was evident in his double century and century in his second Ranji Trophy match against Andhra under former India left-arm spinner Venkatapathy Raju.