Amaravati: Former Indian cricketer Ambati Rayudu has joined the Yuvajana Sramika Rythu (YSR) Congress. On Thursday, YRS Congress President and Andhra Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy inducted him into the party.
Deputy CM Narayanaswami and MP Midhun Reddy were also present.
Rayudu announced his entry into politics in June this year and in the same month he also held a meeting with Jagan Mohan Reddy regarding the development of world-class sports infrastructure and education for the underprivileged.
“Had a wonderful meeting with Hon’ble CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy Garu as well as Respected Rupa Ma’am and CSK management to discuss the development of world class sports infrastructure and education for the underprivileged. “The government is developing a strong program for the youth of our state.” Rayudu posted on X.
Earlier in April, the former cricketer had praised the Andhra CM in a social media post.
“Great speech..our Chief Minister @ysjagan garu..everyone in the state has full faith in you sir..” Rayudu posted on Instagram.
Rayudu retired from the Indian Premier League (IPL) after his team Chennai Super Kings’ victory in May. He also announced his retirement from all forms of Indian cricket.
Rayudu wrote about his emotional journey in a post on X, “It’s been an emotional night culminating in a special IPL win. On that high note, I would like to announce my retirement from all forms of Indian cricket.”
He played 55 ODI matches for India, where he scored 1694 runs at an average of 47.05. His best innings was 124 not out. He scored three centuries and 10 half-centuries in ODI cricket for India. He also played six T20 matches for India and scored 42 runs.
Rayudu has also represented Hyderabad, Andhra, Baroda and Vidarbha in domestic cricket.
For CSK, the franchise he joined in 2018, he scored 1,932 runs at an average of 30.18 in 90 matches. He scored one century and eight fifties for CSK, with his best score being 100*.
In his 204-match IPL career, he has scored 4,348 runs at an average of 28.23 and strike rate of 127.24. He scored one century and 22 fifties, with his best score being 100*. He is the 12th highest scorer in league history.
He lifted the IPL trophy a total of six times with MI (2013, 2015 and 2017) and CSK (2018, 2021 and 2023). Due to his immense success as a batsman and the number of trophies he has won, he is one of the most successful players in the history of the league.
