‘Wasn’t fair according to me’ – Former India batter alleges Virat Kohli’s hand in Ambati Rayudu being ignored for 2019 ODI World Cup

Former India batter Robin Uthappa has been creating headlines for his unfiltered views on the Lallantop show recently. The 39-year-old recently spoke about Ambati Rayudu being ignored for the 2019 ODI World Cup. The right-handed batter was overlooked despite his strong show with the bat. 

Uthappa during the Lallantop show said, “If Virat Kohli didn't like anyone, he didn't feel someone is good, then they were cut. Ambati Rayudu is the prime example. You feel bad. Everybody has preferences, I agree but you cannot close the door on a player after taking him to the cusp.”

“He had World Cup clothes, World Cup kit bag, everything was there at his home. A player would be thinking that he is going to the World Cup. But you shut the door on him. That wasn't fair according to me,” Robin Uthappa also added while speaking about Rayudu’s controversial snub. 

What happened with Ambati Rayudu ahead of 2019 World Cup?

After making his ODI debut in 2013 at the age of 27, Ambati Rayudu went onto play 55 games for India. The batter scored 1694 runs with three centuries and 10 fifties with an average of 47. Despite having a great year in 2018 where Rayudu averaged 56 and was in form during 2019, the batter was overlooked for the show piece event in England. 

In a shocking turn of events, Vijay Shankar was included in the team and was called a ‘three dimensional player’ by the then chief selector MSK Prasad. After his snub, Rayudu didn’t play international cricket for India and went onto retire from the sport in 2023. 

This wasn’t the first time Robin Uthappa has taken aim at Virat Kohli. During the same show, the former IPL winner had stated that Kohli played a role in Yuvraj Singh’s premature exit from Indian team in 2017. 

“When Yuvi requested for that two-point deduction, he didn’t get it. Then he did the test because he was outside the team and they weren’t taking him in. He passed the fitness test, came inside the team, had a lean tournament, took him out totally. Whoever was in the leadership group, didn’t entertain him. That time Virat was the leader and it went according to him due to his strong personality,” said Uthappa on the Lallantop show.