Ambati Rayudu Set To Become 2nd Indian Player To Feature In CPL
Ambati Rayudu has become the second Indian to play in the men's Caribbean Premier League (CPL) after St Kitts & Nevis Patriots drafted him as their marquee player for the upcoming season. The only other Indian player who has played in the overseas T20 League is Pravin Tamble. Tamble, who once became the oldest player to play in the IPL, was with Trinbago Knight Riders in 2020 CPL season.
Two other Indian descent cricketers - Sunny Sohal and Smit Patel - have also played in the men's CPL, but they qualified as USA players. Talking about the Women's CPL, Shreyanka Patil has become the first Indian female cricketer to play in the Caribbean league, having been signed up by Guyana Amazon Warriors.
IPL 2023 was the last IPL season for Rayudu, who announced retirement from all forms of Indian cricket shortly after CSK, the team he played for, won their fifth IPL title. He was then signed by the Texas Super Kings for the inaugural edition of the Major League Cricket in the USA but pulled out only a few days before the tournament.
"I'm really excited to be joining the St Kitts & Nevis Patriots. I look forward to having a positive contribution for the team in the upcoming CPL 2023," Rayudu said, according to ESPNcricinfo.
As per rules, Indian players can take part in overseas leagues only if they have retired from international cricket and BCCI-run tournaments like the IPL. A few other Indian players who have played and continue playing in foreign leagues include Unmukt Chand and Yusuf Pathan.
Rayudu played 61 limited overs matches for the Indian team between 2013 and 2019. He announced retirement from international cricket on July 2, 2019.
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