Former Indian cricketer Ambati Rayudu enters politics, joins YSRCP ahead of 2024 elections

Ambati Rayudu retired from professional cricket after the IPL 2023.

Former Indian middle-order batter Ambati Rayudu has entered into politics ahead of 2024 general elections set to be held in March-April next year. Rayudu joined YS Jagan Reddy-led YSR Congress Party on Thursday. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy formally welcomed him to the party with the party’s official scarf.

Ambati Rayudu held multiple meetings with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy before taking the final decision. Rayudu has joined the list of former cricketers who decided to enter into politics once again after retiring from the sport. Gautam Gambhir, Manoj Tiwary, and Ashok Dinda also entered politics after retiring.

Ambati Rayudu joins YSRCP

The official Twitter handle of the YSRCP party also officially welcomed former cricketer Ambati Rayudu who hails from Guntur, Andhra Pradesh. YSRCP tweeted, “Famous Indian cricketer Ambati Tirupati Rayudu joined the YSR Congress Party in the presence of Chief Minister Shri YS Jagan at the CM Camp office. Deputy CM Narayana Swamy and MP Peddireddy Mithun Reddy participated in this program.” 

Earlier it was reported that Ambati Rayudu held talks with CM Jagan Mohan Reddy and expressed his desire to fight election either in general elections or Andhra assembly elections in 2024. Ambati Rayudu is likely to contest in election either from Machilipatanam or Guntur Lok Sabha seat or in one of the assembly seats from Krishna or Godavari district.

Ambati Rayudu retired from professional cricket after the end of IPL 2023. Rayudu was associated with Chennai Super Kings and said goodbye to the game after winning the title. In his international career, Rayudu played 55 ODI games for India and scored 1694 runs at an average of 47.05 and strike rate of 79.04. Rayudu also has 3 ODI centuries and 10 fifties to his name.

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