NEW DELHI: Ambati Rayudu, who had earlier this year declared his retirement from the Indian Premier League, left the St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots of the Caribbean Premier League for personal reasons, according to a report in ESPNcricinfo.
With a strike rate of 117.50 through three innings for the Patriots in the current game, Rayudu scored 47 runs. In the three innings, he scored 0, 32 and 15.
Rayudu became just the second Indian to play in the men's CPL after Pravin Tambe when he was named the Patriots' star player two weeks ago.
Rayudu and Zimbabwean pacer Blessing Muzarabani both withdrew from the competition for personal reasons.
The 26-year-old took one wicket with an economy of 10.61 in three games for the Patriots.
The Patriots squad has called up English quick bowler Benny Howell and top-order hitter Will Smeed to fill the void left by Rayudu and Muzarabani.
Rayudu was introduced as a Texas Super Kings player for Major League Cricket (MLC) after helping Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in their pursuit of the fifth IPL championship in May of this year. He was one of the players they signed for the first American Major League Cricket competition.
However, Rayudu was forced to leave the competition five days before the start of the inaugural season because the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) proposed introducing a one-year cooling-off period for retired Indian players before they take part in overseas franchise leagues.
Tristan Stubbs, a South African all-rounder who was no longer available for CPL 2023, was replaced by Rayudu.
The South African team for the three-match T20I series against Australia includes Stubbs.
(With ANI inputs)
