Ambati Rayudu likely to play for Vidarbha in the upcoming Ranji season

Ambati Rayudu, India's limited overs batsman, is most likely to join Vidarbha for the upcoming Ranji Trophy season. Before joining the now-defunct Indian Cricket League(ICL) in 2007, Rayudu was part of the Hyderabad team in the Ranji Trophy for one season.

"Yes. We are in talks with Rayudu but nothing has been penned down. He will be good edition to Vidarbha if it materialises. We will announce soon once the contract is signed," a top official from the Vidarbha Cricket Association(VCA) told The Times of India. The VCA has been in contact with the batsman for the last few months.

After accepting BCCI's amnesty offer to all those associated with the ICL, Rayudu made a comeback to the domestic circuit, and has been part of the Baroda team for the last six seasons. He made a move to Baroda after Hyderabad had been relegated to the plate-division of the Ranji Trophy. Strong performances for Baroda and for the Mumbai Indians in the IPL earned him his maiden international call-up in 2012. In 94 first-class matches, Rayudu has compiled 5873 runs at an average of almost 45, including 15 centuries.

Rayudu’s inclusion will bolster the side’s middle-order, which looks settled at the top. Vidarbha availed the services of Wasim Jaffer, the highest individual run scorer in the Indian domestic circuit, from Mumbai last year. Ganesh Satish, the Davangere-born wicketkeeper-batsman, got his contract extended for a further two years, after his previous contract ended after the end of last season. Subramanium Badrinath, who joined Vidarbha in 2014, and under whose captaincy Vidarbha went till the semi-finals in the last two seasons, has not been issued a renewed contract.

The official added: "Rayudu's name was discussed during Cricket Development meeting and we had given this responsibility to Paras Mhambrey, who is also in Mumbai Indians coaching staff. Paras has been in touch with Rayudu since last two-three months. However, he was busy with his national commitments and the Indian Premier League. He is yet to get No Objection Certificate (NOC) from Baroda Cricket Association."

Rayudu made a comeback to the limited overs side after almost an year, featuring in a young side on the recent tour of Zimbabwe. He scored 103 runs in two innings in ODIs, remaining unbeaten in both of them, including a high score of 62.