Ashish Ranjan
Ambati Rayudu recently announced his retirement from the Indian Premier League and returned to the sport by signing a contract with Texas Super Kings for the inaugural MLC season. Due to personal reasons, Rayudu will be unable to participate for the Texas Super Kings.
The IPL 2023 championship game signified Rayudu’s final appearance in the IPL. He played a crucial role in CSK’s victory by scoring 19 runs off just eight deliveries in a cameo. Not only did Rayudu’s performance help CSK chase down the target, but it also made him the joint-most successful player in IPL history, tied with Rohit Sharma with six trophies.
Rayudu expressed interest in entering politics in recent news reports. According to The Times of India, he plans to join Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Jagan Mohan Reddy’s YSRCP party and run for office in 2024.
Rayudu’s withdrawal from the MLC Season One coincided with BCCI secretary Jay Shah’s hints that the board is considering a policy regarding the predetermined retirement of Indian cricketers from foreign competitions. Shah mentioned the development of a policy aimed at curbing the trend of predetermined retirements and stated that the proposed policy would be returned to the Apex Council within a month for approval.
The BCCI has struggled with the problem of Indian players retiring early to compete in lucrative T20 leagues overseas. Concerned by this trend, the Apex Council has charged the board’s office-bearers with developing a policy regarding the participation of retired Indian athletes in foreign leagues.
The primary objective of the BCCI is to address concerns associated with predetermined retirements and prevent potential abuse. The introduction of a cooling-off period is under contemplation, but the BCCI will deliberate carefully and make the final decision.
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The proposed policy has been criticized for being exploitative and discriminatory, which has raised concerns regarding individual rights. On social media, fans, observers, and journalists have expressed displeasure and questioned the legality and impartiality. The BCCI is at a critical juncture, seeking to reconcile the interests of Indian cricket with those of its players.
