Baroda Association ropes Ambati Rayudu; signs CSK batter as Hooda's replacement

India and Chennai Super Kings middle-order batter Ambati Rayudu is all set to feature for Baroda in the next domestic season.

According to a report published in the Indian Express, Rayudu has been in talks with the Baroda Cricket Association (BCA) over the past few days and has agreed to play for them.

A BCA official confirmed the development to the Indian Express, stating that the state association has decided to rope in Rayudu as a replacement for Deepak Hooda.

Hooda left Baroda for Rajasthan earlier this season following his spat with all-rounder Krunal Pandya for the uninitiated.

Krunal and Deepak had an ugly spat during the 2020-21 edition of the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy. But, ironically, the duo are part of the Lucknow Super Giants in the ongoing IPL season and have become 'brothers'. 

"Baroda has decided to rope him in as he has expressed his willingness to play for the team. The team is already looking for Deepak Hooda's replacement," a BCA official said to the Indian Express.

This will be Rayudu's second stint for Baroda. The enigmatic middle-order batter represented the state association for three seasons back in the early 2000s before earning a call-up to the Indian team in 2013.

Rayudu has been in the news for all the wrong reasons over the past few days.

The right-hander garnered unnecessary attention last week when he tweeted his retirement from IPL cricket.

However, he deleted the tweet following an intervention from the CSK management.

"I am happy to announce that this will be my last IPL. I have had a wonderful time playing it and being a part of 2 great teams for 13 years," Rayudu had tweeted.

"Would love to sincerely thank Mumbai Indians and CSK for the wonderful journey," he added.

Rayudu, just like his team, endured a forgettable IPL season with the bat as he managed just 274 runs in 13 outings at an average of 24.91 and a strike rate of 122.32.

Rayudu is expected to join the Baroda squad for the pre-season preparatory camp in June, 2022.