2007 T20 World Cup winning player Robin Uthappa has made serious allegations against former Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli. Uthappa has claimed that the careers of many players have been affected due to Kohli’s personal likes and dislikes. Recently, he had accused him of destroying the career of legend all-rounder Yuvraj Singh, and now he has made a big revelation regarding Ambati Rayudu’s exclusion from the 2019 World Cup.
What happened to Rayudu?
Before the 2019 World Cup, Ambati Rayudu was considered the number-4 leading batsman for the Indian team. His excellent performance in many matches had made him a strong contender for this place. But when the Indian team was announced for the World Cup, everyone was surprised that Rayudu did not get a place in the team. In his place, Vijay Shankar, who was called a “3D player” by the selectors, was included in the team.
Robin Uthappa’s big revelation
Robin Uthappa said in an interview,
“If Virat Kohli did not like a player, he was dropped from the team. Ambati Rayudu is the biggest example of this. You feel bad, because every player has his own journey. But when you close the doors to a player after reaching a certain level, it is wrong.”
World Cup clothes and kit had reached home
Uthappa further said that Rayudu was sure that he was going to play the World Cup.
“He had World Cup clothes, World Cup kit bag, everything at his house. A player might be thinking that he is going to play the World Cup. But you closed the doors for them at the last moment. According to me, this was not appropriate at all.”
Rayudu ignored despite injured players
During the World Cup, the Indian team had to face the problem of injured players. Rayudu was not called even after Shikhar Dhawan was out. Even when Vijay Shankar was injured, the selectors did not include Rayudu in the team.
Rayudu had expressed his displeasure on social media
Rayudu had expressed his feelings on social media after the World Cup selection. He had made a sarcastic tweet:
“I have bought 3D glasses, it will be easier to watch the World Cup.”
This tweet had raised questions on the selection process and the statement “3D player”.
Questions were also raised on MSK Prasad
Rayudu later revealed in an interview that he and the then chief selector MSK Prasad did not have a good relationship. Prasad ignored Rayudu during the World Cup team selection, and this put his career in deep trouble.
Did Virat Kohli’s likes and dislikes influence the selection?
Robin Uthappa’s statement has raised big questions on the selection process in Indian cricket. Can a captain’s personal likes and dislikes affect the players’ careers that much? This has become a matter of debate.
conclusion
Ambati Rayudu’s exit from the 2019 World Cup is one of the most controversial incidents in Indian cricket. These revelations of Robin Uthappa have refreshed this controversy. There is now a need for a thorough investigation into the role of Virat Kohli and the selectors.
