Kohli’s Dislike for Rayudu Revealed: Ex-India Star Makes Explosive Revelations About Controversial 2019 World Cup Snub

The 2019 ODI World Cup proved to be a rollercoaster for Team India, culminating in a heartbreaking semi-final loss to New Zealand. The match also marked the end of an era for Indian cricket, with MS Dhoni bidding farewell to international cricket shortly after. However, controversy loomed even before the tournament began, with fan-favorite Ambati Rayudu being left out of the squad. Speaking on Lallantop, former India star Robin Uthappa pointed fingers at captain Virat Kohli for Rayudu's exclusion, rekindling the debate surrounding team selection.

Uthappa also tore into Kohli for his treatment of legend Yuvraj Kohli after his recovery from cancer. “If he (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,” Uthappa revealed, in his bombshell interview.

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Rayudu wasn’t called-up even when India lost opener Shikhar Dhawan due to an injury. The same remained the case after Vijay Shankar was injured. Meanwhile, Rayudu also didn’t hold back as he took to social media to make his feelings known. During an interview later, Rayudu revealed that he and former chief selector MSK Prasad didn’t get along well. Prasad was the chief selector during the 2019 World Cup.

Meanwhile, Prasad, in response, has gone on to state that the committee consisted of other selectors too, and even the captain had a role in decisions.

Rayudu announced his retirement from all forms of Indian cricket on May 29, 2023. In India, he last played for Chennai Super Kings, and resigning for them in 2022 for ₹6.75 crores. Rayudu won the IPL trophy a record six times, being the only other than Rohit Sharma to bag such a feat. He was a part of the Indian team that won the 2018 Asia Cup.

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