Rayudu pulls out of the inaugural season of Major League Cricket in America

Texas Super Kings (TSK) received a major blow as Ambati Rayudu has pulled out of the inaugural edition of Major League Cricket (MLC). Rayudu’s decision comes after the BCCI is still rethinking retired players’ situation. TSK shared an update on Twitter confirming Rayudu’s absence from the first season of MLC.

“Ambati Rayudu will not be available to participate in the first season of the MLC with Taxes Super Kings due to personal reasons. He will continue to cheer for the team from India.”

Squad Update!#WhistleForTexas #MajorLeagueCricket pic.twitter.com/ruRlq4dGrL

— Texas Super Kings (@TexasSuperKings) July 7, 2023

Rayudu had announced his retirement from international cricket after winning the Indian Premier League title with the Chennai Super Kings this year .

CSK stars Devon Conway,  Santner and coach Stephen Fleming are also part of the Texas Super Kings squad.

Dwayne Bravo, who was the bowling coach of CSK in IPL 2023, will take part in the MLC as an all-rounder for Texas. Hard-hitting South African batter David Miller and Australian fast bowler Daniel Sams will also be a part of the squad.

Rayudu’s decision comes on the heels of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) mulling a one-year “cooling off” period for retired cricketers to prevent them from announcing early retirements to play domestic cricket in other countries. “We’ll come out with a policy to prevent the trend of pre-determined retirement. The office bearers will make a policy and send it back for approval,” BCCI secretary Shah had said after the Apex Council meeting. Active Indian players are barred from playing in overseas leagues but the retired ones are allowed.