Ambati Rayudu was removed from India’s 2019 World Cup squad. He was the team’s number four batter but the MSK Prasad-led selection committee ignored him and went ahead with Vijay Shankar.

Rayudu slammed the decision-makers and his social media post did damage to his chances of getting in the World Cup team as a replacement player. The right-handed batter was not added to squad when the Men in Blue needed two replacements during the course of the global event.

Robin Uthappa, who had earlier blamed Virat Kohli for ending Yuvraj Singh’s career, has now accused the star player for Rayudu’s exclusion. Speaking to the Lallantop, Uthappa said that Rayudu was ready to join the Indian team.

“If Virat Kohli didn’t like anyone, he was removed from the team. Ambati Rayudu was the prime example. You feel bad for him. You took him close and then shut the door on him. He was ready to play in the World Cup but was not given a place. It was not fair.”

Rayudu announced his retirement in 2019 after getting snubbed but took a U-turn. He never played for India again. He bid adieu for the second time in 2022 but deleted his post. His final retirement came in 2023 Rayudu played 55 ODIs and 6 T20Is for the Men in Blue.