News May 5, 2026

Ambati Rayudu Takes Charge as HCA’s Director of Cricket Operations

Ambati Rayudu Takes Charge as HCA’s Director of Cricket Operations

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.

Rayudu expressed his excitement about the new role, stating, . He also mentioned his desire to “clean up a few things” within the association.

Background and Experience

Rayudu’s appointment comes after a tumultuous past with the HCA. In 2019, he alleged “rampant corruption” at the HCA, claiming that team selections were politicized. This incident led to his departure from Hyderabad in the 2019-20 season, after which he finished his domestic career with stints at Andhra and Baroda.

Throughout his career, Rayudu has played 55 ODIs, six T20Is, and 97 first-class matches. He has also won six IPL titles, with 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.

New Chapter for HCA

Rayudu’s new role marks a new chapter for the HCA, and his experience and expertise are expected to bring positive changes to the association. With his focus on nurturing young talent and addressing past issues, Rayudu is poised to make a significant impact on the cricket landscape in Hyderabad and Telangana.

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Julian Anand

Julian Anand is a senior cricket writer at ESPNcricinfo, known for his lyrical prose and deep-dive longform features on the sport’s unsung heroes. An alumnus of St. Stephen's College, he began his career covering Delhi’s club and university circuits before joining the global cricket desk. Julian has a rare ability to humanise the game—whether chronicling a young pacer from the Maidan or revisiting a forgotten Test classic. He is especially respected for his technical breakdowns of fast bowling and his archival research into cricket history. His work has been recognised with the SJA British Sports Journalism Award and multiple internal honours at Cricinfo. When not at the press box, Julian mentors young sports writers and plays occasional league cricket as a medium-pacer.