Huge injury blow for WI, India star's surprise f-c retirement and more - Cricket News Today, 3rd November 2018

Ambati Rayudu announces first-class retirement

Rayudu will continue to play white ball cricket for Hyderabad

While many were waiting for Rayudu to show up for Hyderabad's second Ranji Trophy game of the season against Tamil Nadu, the Indian batsman surprised everyone by announcing his retirement from the longest format of the game. He expressed his intention in a letter to the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA).

In a letter to the HCA, Rayudu wrote: "I will continue to play international and domestic matches of the shorter version. And, I take this opportunity to thank the BCCI, HCA, Baroda Cricket Association and also Vidarbha Cricket Association for giving me the opportunities over the years.

"It has always been an honour to play for Hyderabad and I can never forget the kind of support I got from all those here, including my fellow players, coaches and the officials. And especially, the way I was welcomed back into the BCCI fold after the stint in the rebel ICL," he added.

Although he never featured for India in the longest format of the game, he played 97 first-class matches, scoring over 6,000 runs at an average of over 45 with 16 centuries.