Ambati Rayudu, the former Hyderabad captain and India player, has been appointed head of cricket operations at Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA). His three-year term starts immediately.
"It is a great opportunity to clean up a few things," Rayudu wrote on X, "but I am more excited to see the immense cricketing talent in Hyderabad and Telangana flourish and produce more players to represent the country."
Rayudu's new role will close a chapter that took centrestage in 2019 when he alleged "rampant corruption" at the HCA. At the time, Rayudu had said decisions at the HCA politicised team selections.
I am very happy to announce that I have been appointed as the Head of cricketing operations for HCA. by Justice P Naveen Rao(SMC) , M Jeevan reddy (Secretary HCA) and the apex council. It is a great opportunity to clean up a few things but I am more excited to see the immense…
— ATR (@RayuduAmbati) May 5, 2026
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After that incident, Rayudu left Hyderabad in the 2019-20 season and finished his domestic career with stints at Andhra and Baroda. That was not the first time he had left Hyderabad for other teams - after debuting in 2001-02 as a 16-year-old, he moved to Andhra for one season in 2005-06 before returning to Hyderabad in 2006-07. That second Hyderabad stint lasted till 2009-10. Rayudu's third and final time with Hyderabad as a player was between 2017-18 to 2019-20.
Rayudu has played 55 ODIs, six T20Is and 97 first-class matches. He has also won six IPL titles, three each with Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings. After retiring from Indian cricket, he also played in the CPL and ILT20 in 2023 and 2024.