Kohli's Disdain for Rayudu: Former India star reveals shocking details on controversial 2019 World Cup snub

Uthappa also criticized Kohli for his treatment of the cricket legend Yuvraj Singh after his recovery from cancer. “If Virat Kohli didn't like someone or didn't think they were good enough, he would simply cut them from the team. Ambati Rayudu is a prime example of this. It's disappointing. While everyone has their preferences, you can't just close the door on a player after getting them so close to a major tournament like the World Cup. Rayudu had all the World Cup gear, everything ready at his home. He must have been certain he was going to the World Cup. But then Kohli shut the door on him. That was unfair in my opinion,” Uthappa shared in a shocking 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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