Rayudu’s ‘3D’ tweet jibe after omission from World Cup side
Middle-order batsman was ignored with chief selector Prasad saying all-rounder Vijay Shankar a ‘three-dimensional’ talent
MUMBAI: Never one to hold back punches in his cricketing career, batsman Ambati Rayudu’s frustration at being ignored for the World Cup seemed to come out in a cryptic tweet on Tuesday, a day after the team was announced.
Rayudu, who was a contender for India’s shaky No 4 batting spot but was not considered in the 15-player squad put out a tweet: “Just Ordered a new set of 3d glasses to watch the world cup.”
It was straightaway picked up by the twitterati that saw the player taking a dig at India’s chief selector, MSK Prasad with one response saying: “Trolling MSK Prasad like a boss”.
Rayudu’s tweet was seen as a sarcastic response to Prasad’s comments in the post-selection media conference justifying the inclusion of inexperienced allrounder Vijay Shankar. A tweet under the name Harry Manchanda said: “He is talking about Vijay Shankar… 3D means 3 Dimensional Player!”
“Well, after that (2017) Champions Trophy, we have tried quite a few middle-order batsmen, which includes Dinesh Karthik. We also tried Shreyas Iyer and Manish Pandey. We did give a few more chances to Rayudu. But what Vijay Shankar offers is three dimensional, apart from his batting, he can bowl. If the conditions are overcast, which we might encounter in England, he might bowl a bit, and he’s a fantastic fielder. That’s the thing that went in favour of him. We are looking at him at No 4,” Prasad told a media conference in Mumbai on Monday.
While there was no debate on Vijay Shankar’s all-round skills, it was Prasad’s statement that he was his panel’s choice to bat at No 4 that was being trolled.
Batting at No 4 is not relevant when it comes to being good at fielding and bowling was the point responses to Rayudu’s tweet highlighted. In the nine ODIS Vijay Shankar has played, the all-rounder who plays for Sunrisers Hyderabad has not batted at No 4.
For the entire last season, after the 2018 Asia Cup, India had tried Rayudu at No 4. Having done well in the Asia Cup, his form waned after the New Zealand series early this year. The Chennai Super Kings batsman was dropped for the last two ODIS against Australia. Rayudu has also made only one fifty this IPL season, against Rajasthan Royals. Asked what went against Rayudu, Prasad said on Monday: “Well, it’s not anything that went against him. It’s only the thing that went in favour of Vijay Shankar, because he adds a bit more dimensions to that role with his fielding and bowling abilities; that’s where he scored ahead of him.”
Rayudu is a centrally contracted player – he is in Grade C of the latest retainership list released by BCCI. It remains to be seen if BCCI takes cognisance of his tweet.
Former India opening batsman, WV Raman, the national women’s team coach, saw humour in Rayudu’s tweet. “disappointment expressed in a humorous way.. well done Ambati.. Way to go..,” he tweeted in reply.