Rayudu quits first-class, focus on limited overs
India middle-order batsman Ambati Rayudu has quit first-class cricket to focus on shorter formats.
A press release from the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) on Saturday said he will continue to play international and domestic matches of shorter formats, ODIs and T20s.
Rayudu has never played Test cricket and has featured in 45 ODIs and six T20 Internationals.
The Hyderabad batsman has been slotted at No 4 in the ODI batting line-up by the Indian team management in preparation for the 2019 World Cup.
He scored 217 runs, a century and a half-century in the recent ODI series against West Indies.
The performance drew praise from captain Virat Kohli who said the batsman has shouldered the responsibility at No 4, a spot which had bothered India for some time.
Rayudu had been part of India’s ODI plans even prior to the tour of England. However, he failed the YoYo fitness test and could not travel to England.
SEHWAG PARTS WAY WITH KINGS XI
CHANDIGARH: Former India opener Virender Sehwag announced his departure from Kings XI Punjab on Saturday. The swashbuckling batsman was associated with the team first as a player and later as mentor. This comes after the team named former New Zealand coach Mike Hesson as coach, replacing Brad Hodge.
Sehwag put out a statement on Twitter thanking the team for the opportunity. He wrote: “All good things must come to an end and I’ve had a wonderful time at Kings 11 Punjab, for 2 seasons as a player and 3 as a mentor. My association with Kings 11 comes to an end and I am thankful for the time I have had here and wish the team all the very best for the times ahead.”
Sehwag and Hodge were supposed to guide IPL laggards KXIP, who are yet to win the title. This year with the team once again failing collectively there were reports of a verbal spat between co-owner Preity Zinta and Sehwag.
In 104 IPL matches, Sehwag scored 2728 runs at an average of 27.56. He mentored KXIP from 2016 to 2018.
WILLIAMS, MASAKADZA DEFY B’DESH
SYLHET: Sean Williams and skipper Hamilton Masakadza slammed a fifty each as Zimbabwe made 236-5 on the opening day of the first Test against Bangladesh in Sylhet on Saturday.
Williams made highest 88 off 179 balls after Masakadza hit 52 off 105 balls to lay the initial foundation for Zimbabwe at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, which was hosting its maiden Test.
Bangladesh made some regular breakthroughs, mostly by their spinners, but lacked the penetrating power to completely unsettle the visiting side playing their first Test in 2018. Brief scores: Zimbabwe (1st inngs) 236-5 (H Masakadza 52, S Williams 88, P Moor 37*; Taijul 2-86)