The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has restricted Indian players from taking part in overseas T20 leagues if they are playing for India or on the Indian domestic circuit. However, former players can take part in other leagues, as seen with Robin Uthappa, Suresh Raina, Sreesanth, Irfan Pathan, and many more former Indian stars.
However, one new name has joined this list. This time the recently retired Indian star, who was part of the Chennai Super Kings that won the 16th edition of the Indian Premier League, beating the Gujarat Titans in the final, has signed up for an overseas league.
He is none other than Ambati Rayudu, who joins the Caribbean Premier League this season and will play for the St. Kitts & Nevis Patriots. The 37-year-old has joined the franchise as a marquee player for the coming season.
Rayudu also joined CSK’s sister franchise, the Texas Super Kings, in the inaugural Major League Cricket 2023. But he withdrew from the league after the BCCI announced a policy for a waiting period for former players to take part in other leagues.
The CPL 2023 will take place between August 16 and September 24. Though the BCCI has yet to confirm his joining the competition. They will make a decision on this shortly. But if he gets approval, Rayudu will become only the second Indian to feature in the CPL.
Pravin Tambe was the first Indian. He played for the Trinbago Knight Riders in 2020. However, some media reports have confirmed that the Indian board is planning to set a waiting period of one year for all the former cricketers to take part in other T20 leagues. Rayudu announced his retirement after the IPL 2023 final, the fifth title for the CSK.
He played a crucial role for MS Dhoni and his team. Chennai also equaled the Mumbai Indians with record of five IPL titles in history. Speaking about his signing in the CPL, Rayudu said, “I’m really excited to be joining the St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots. I look forward to making a positive contribution for the team in the upcoming CPL 2023.”
