Ambati Rayudu will not take part in the MLC inaugural season due to “personal reasons”. The decision was taken immediately after some reports suggesting that Board of Cricket Council for India (BCCI) will soon introduce a “cooling-off” period which will stop cricketers from taking part in T20 leagues soon after retiring. Rayudu made his Retirement on May 28 and joined TSK on June 15.
Texas Super Kings shared an update on Twitter about Rayudu’s absence in the inaugural season of Major League Cricket. “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.”
The BCCI Apex Council meeting has analyzed some key issues in Indian Cricket. As of now there is no policy about retired players playing overseas leagues soon after retiring. However, the BCCI will soon introduce a “cooling-off” period for retired players, with final decision being taken jointly by Roger Binny and Jay Shah.
“The BCCI is a bit worried that many Indian players will retire early to play in the various lucrative T20 leagues abroad, especially as many teams in these leagues are owned by IPL franchises. Hence, there’s a thought being given to perhaps introduce a cooling-off period,” a source on the Board told TOI.
As Rayudu will not be able to take part in the MLC 2023, TSK has to look for a replacement for the right-hand batter. Although he will not be able to play, However, he will still be rooting for the team from India. Even in Rayudu’s absence Texas Super Kings still have some big names in the squad like Faf du Plessis, Dwayne Brave, and David Miller, with Faf being the captain of the team.
TSK Squad
Devon Conway, Mitchell Santner, Daniel Sams, David Miller, Gerald Coetzee, Dwayne Bravo, Ambati Rayudu, Rusty Theron, Calvin Savage, Lahiru Milantha, Milind Kumar, Sami Aslam, Cameron Stevenson, Cody Chetty, Zia Shahzad, Saiteja Mukkamalla