In a surprising move, former Indian batsman Ambati Rayudu has embarked on a new cricketing journey by signing with the Texas Super Kings (TKS) in the inaugural edition of Major League Cricket (MLC), America’s first-ever professional franchise cricket league.
After bidding farewell to the Indian Premier League (IPL) with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Rayudu’s decision to join the TKS has generated considerable excitement. With an illustrious career in franchise cricket and an impressive track record, Rayudu brings his wealth of experience to this groundbreaking venture.
The Texas Super Kings wasted no time announcing their signing of Ambati Rayudu through a social media post on Thursday night. Joining him are fellow CSK teammates Dwayne Bravo, Devon Conway, and Mitchell Santner, marking an impressive lineup for the Texas-based franchise.
The TKS has also secured the services of South Africa’s David Miller and Australian left-arm fast bowler Daniel Sams, further strengthening their squad. These signings demonstrate the TKS’s ambition to assemble a competitive team capable of impacting the American T20 league.
In addition to the player acquisitions, the Texas Super Kings have assembled a strong support staff for their inaugural MLC campaign. Former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming, renowned for his successful stint with CSK in the IPL, joins the TKS as the head coach. Assisting him are Eric Simmons and former South African all-rounder, whose expertise will contribute to the team’s strategic and tactical preparations.
Gregory King takes on the strength and conditioning coach role, while Lakshmi Narayanan serves as the High-Performance Analyst. Tommy Simsek assumes the responsibility of the team’s physiotherapist. Russell Radhakrishnan, who has been managing CSK for years, will now also take charge as the TKS team manager, adding stability and organizational experience to the franchise.
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Ambati Rayudu’s decision to join the TKS comes as no surprise considering his vast experience and success in franchise cricket. Having played 204 IPL games, Rayudu has been an integral part of the Mumbai Indians and later made a significant impact with the Chennai Super Kings.
In the 2018 IPL season, Rayudu enjoyed a sensational run, amassing over 600 runs, including his only IPL century. Throughout his IPL career, Rayudu has registered 22 fifties, striking 173 sixes and 359 boundaries, culminating in a remarkable total of 4348 runs over 14 seasons.
#Yellove to Texas 🦁💛 @MLCricket #TexasSuperKings #whistlefortexas #raringtogo. #MajorLeagueCricket pic.twitter.com/IbLY17Z1md
— Texas Super Kings (@TexasSuperKings) June 15, 2023
ATR – Ambati "Texas" Rayudu 💪🏻@RayuduAmbati @MLCricket #yellovetexas #MajorleagueCricket #WhistleforTexas pic.twitter.com/vke15d81Zq
— Texas Super Kings (@TexasSuperKings) June 15, 2023
The Major League Cricket (MLC) marks a significant milestone in developing cricket in the United States. With the inclusion of franchises like the Texas Super Kings and the acquisition of renowned international players, the MLC promises to bring the excitement of professional franchise cricket to American shores. Ambati Rayudu, along with other talented cricketers, will help raise the league’s profile and inspire local talent, fostering the sport’s growth in the country.
