"I Had the Jersey and Kit" – Former CSK Batter’s Bold Revelation on Missing 2019 World Cup Squad

Former India cricketer Ambati Rayudu has revealed that he already had the 2019 World Cup kit before being left out of the squad. The cricketer-turned-commentator also explained that around 25-30 players are usually shortlisted before the final 15-member team is picked for the World Cup.

Rayudu further said that he never actually bought 3D glasses to watch the World Cup. He clarified that his earlier comment was made out of frustration after not being selected purely as a batter for the No. 4 position.

All-rounder Vijay Shankar replaced Rayudu in India’s 2019 World Cup squad. However, Shankar could not make much impact, scoring only 58 runs and taking two wickets in three matches. During the tournament, the Virat Kohli-led team tried four different players — Shankar, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, and KL Rahul — for the No. 4 role.

Former India cricketer Ambati Rayudu revealed that he already had the 2019 World Cup jersey and kit before being dropped from the squad. Speaking on Shubhankar Mishra’s YouTube channel, the ex-CSK batter explained how the process works.

Rayudu said: “Yes, I had the jersey and kit for the 2019 World Cup because they prepare 20-25 players with passports, visas, and clothes in advance. The final selection happens later because it’s tough to arrange everything at the last minute. It’s not like I was in the team and then kicked out.”

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Rayudu clarifies on 3D glasses remark

The 39-year-old also cleared the air about his old “3D glasses” tweet, which had gone viral after his omission.

“No, no. At that time, the most frustrating thing was that if you were not picking a proper No. 4 batter, then why select an all-rounder for that position? At No. 4, you need a specialist batter who can build a bridge between the top order and lower middle order, not just a ‘3-dimensional player.’”

Rayudu was dropped from the 2019 World Cup squad despite scoring 247 runs in 10 ODIs that year at an average of 30.88. In 2018, however, he had a much better run, scoring 392 runs in 10 matches at an average of 56, including a century and three fifties.

“What Robin said is true” – Rayudu hints at favouritism

Rayudu also seemed to agree with former India cricketer Robin Uthappa, who once claimed that Virat Kohli’s personal preferences influenced team selections.

“What Robin has said is completely true (about liking and disliking in Indian cricket), but it was for a period of time. In one interview, I also said that Virat supported me. But at the end of the day, people get carried away. I felt at that time the decision was not entirely based on cricket. It was a management call. You cannot blame only the selector, captain, or coach. It was not just about cricket.”

Uthappa’s old claim on Kohli

In an earlier interview, Robin Uthappa had directly accused then-captain Virat Kohli of cutting players he didn’t like. Speaking about Rayudu’s case, Uthappa had said (via DNA):

“If he (Virat Kohli) didn’t like anyone, he didn’t feel someone was good, then they were cut. Rayudu is the prime example. He had the World Cup clothes, kit bag, and everything ready. A player would think he is going to the World Cup, but they shut the door on him. That wasn’t fair.”

Rayudu’s international and IPL career

Rayudu didn’t play the 2019 World Cup but finished with decent numbers for Team India. He represented the side in 55 ODIs and six T20Is, scoring 1694 ODI runs at an average of 47.05, including three centuries and 10 fifties.

In the IPL, Rayudu became one of the most successful players, winning six trophies — three each with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Mumbai Indians (MI). Across 204 IPL matches, he scored 4348 runs, with one century and 22 fifties to his name.