Former India cricketer Ambati Rayudu opened up on his “3D” tweet and the 2019 ICC ODI World Cup snub. His exclusion from the Indian squad for the World Cup was surprising to many fans and experts. Rayudu expressed that he was disappointed with the snub, and was surprised that an all-rounder was selected in his place.
The Indian team went ahead with Vijay Shankar for the 2019 ODI World Cup. He was described as a three-dimensional player by the then-India selector MSK Prasad. Following the World Cup snub, Rayudu took a dig at the selectors through Twitter. He wrote, “Just Ordered a new set of 3d glasses to watch the world cup.”
Talking about his exclusion from the World Cup squad, Ambati Rayudu said to TV9 News Telugu,
“I was on a flight when the 2019 ODI World Cup squad was announced. Then IPL happens. I was very disappointed when I saw the news right after landing the flight. There were already indications that I will not be included in the team. I was a bit surprised to get an all-rounder that took my place.”
“Going to play the ODI World Cup? Or select a team to play a league match? It seemed they prepared me to bat at number four. If they would have picked someone like Rahane or any similar ilk of a player or someone who is experienced and senior it would have been understandable. But choosing an all-rounder without any proper knowledge infuriates me,” he added.
Only MSK Prasad should tell the reason behind the decision: Ambati Rayudu
Ambati Rayudu further expressed that he did not mean to tweet against Vijay Shankar or selector MSK Prasad. He stated that his tweet was just a satire against the squad selection. Rayudu added that Vijay Shankar was just another player who was waiting for his opportunity and should not have got trolled on social media. He said,
“I tweeted that I would watch the game in 3D glasses. Everyone trolled Vijay Shankar. But I didn’t tweet against him or MSK. I blasted satires on the manner of Team India’s selection. People could not understand this and cursed Vijay Shankar. Of course, there is nothing wrong with him. Just a player waiting for an opportunity like everyone else.”
Ambati Rayudu scored 639 runs at an average of 42.60 from the start of 2018 till the last match he played before the 2019 World Cup. He expressed that despite being in good form, he was replaced by an all-rounder.
“I did brilliantly at No. 4 on the tour of New Zealand before the ODI World Cup. I believed that I can excel in England where there are such conditions. But I was surprised that the selectors chose the all-rounder instead of replacing the number four when they left me out. Only MSK Prasad should tell the reason behind this decision,” said Ambati Rayudu.
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