Ambati Thirupathi Rayudu is a former Indian international cricketer and accomplished middle-order batter known for his adaptability across formats. A right-handed batter who occasionally kept wicket and bowled right-arm off-spin, Rayudu built a reputation as a reliable limited-overs player and a consistent performer in domestic and franchise cricket. Over his career he represented India in ODIs and T20Is and played extensively in domestic competitions and the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Rayudu made his ODI debut for India on 24 July 2013 against Zimbabwe, scoring an unbeaten 63 runs in his first match and immediately showcasing his ability to anchor an innings.
Across his international career from 2013 to 2019, he played 55 ODIs and 6 T20Is, scoring 1,694 runs in ODIs with three centuries and ten half-centuries, and achieving an impressive batting average of around 47.
Rayudu was part of the Indian squad that won the 2018 Asia Cup, contributing as a dependable middle-order batter during the tournament.
After being overlooked for the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup, Rayudu announced his retirement from international cricket in July 2019, ending a national career that had seen him establish himself as a key limited-overs player during that period.
Rayudu began his first-class career with Hyderabad in 2002 at the age of 16, quickly earning recognition as a talented young batter and later captaining the India Under-19 team at the 2004 ICC Under-19 World Cup.
In the Indian Premier League, Rayudu enjoyed a long and successful career with Mumbai Indians (2010–2017) and later Chennai Super Kings (2018–2023).
He was part of several championship-winning teams and eventually became one of the few players to win six IPL titles, tying the record for the most tournament victories.
Across his IPL career he played over 200 matches and scored more than 4,300 runs, demonstrating consistency as a middle-order contributor.
Rayudu announced his retirement from the IPL following the 2023 final, ending a 13-year journey in the tournament.
Rayudu was known for his versatile batting style, capable of both anchoring innings and accelerating the scoring rate when required. His ability to play spin well and rotate strike made him particularly valuable in the middle overs of limited-overs matches.
While primarily a batter, his occasional wicket-keeping and part-time off-spin bowling provided additional flexibility to team compositions, particularly in franchise cricket.
Ambati Rayudu is remembered as a reliable middle-order batter whose career spanned international cricket, domestic competitions, and one of the most successful IPL journeys of any player. From captaining India’s Under-19 side to becoming a six-time IPL champion and a steady presence in India’s ODI lineup, Rayudu’s adaptability and consistency made him a respected figure in modern Indian cricket.