Amaravath:
Former Indian cricketer Ambati Rayudu revealed the reason behind his decision to take a break from politics, expressing his commitment to the Mumbai Indians franchise -MI Emirates- in the second season of ILT20 in the UAE.
The former Indian cricketer left the political world stunned when he quit the Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) barely eight days after joining. Rayudu announced on X that he was quitting the YSRCP, less than a month after joining CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy's party.
“I Ambati Rayudu will represent Mumbai Indians in the upcoming ILt20 from January 20 in Dubai. That requires me to be politically unaffiliated while playing professional sports,” Mr Rayudu wrote on X.
I Ambati Rayudu will represent Mumbai Indians at the upcoming ILt20 from January 20 in Dubai. That requires me to be politically disconnected while playing professional sports.
— ATR (@RayuduAmbati) January 7, 2024
The Chennai Super Kings star was inducted into the party on December 28, 2023, by YRS Congress President and Andhra Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy.
Rayudu clarified his position on Sunday, stating that he wanted to be “politically unaffiliated” while playing professional sports and representing a club like Mumbai Indians.
Rayudu, who helped CSK in their quest for a fifth IPL title in May last year, returns to the Mumbai Indians franchise for the second season of ILT20 after leaving them for the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2017. The ILT20 will take place in three locations in the UAE: Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, between January 19 and February 17.
The former Indian batsman announced his exit from the IPL after his successful run and hinted at his plans to enter politics.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)