Ambati Rayudu to play for Baroda

Ambati Rayudu, the Hyderabad batsman, has decided to play for Baroda in the 2010-11 Ranji Trophy. DS Chalapati, secretary of the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA), confirmed that Rayadu had asked for an NOC from the association to allow him to play for Baroda.

Hyderabad were relegated to the Plate League after a poor performance in the Super League during the Ranji season last year. Venkatapathy Raju, the Hyderabad coach, was unhappy with Rayudu's decision to play for Baroda, who are part of the Super League.

"It was done in bad taste," Raju told PTI. "As a senior member of the team, he should have taken the responsibility to guide Hyderabad this season. He should have been loyal to Hyderabad. This move reflects his commitment to the Hyderabad team."

Rayudu, who played for Mumbai Indians in the IPL, made his first-class debut for Hyderabad in 2001-02 but, after a disappointing 2004-05 season, transferred to Andhra for the following season. He returned to play for Hyderabad in 2006 and then played for the Indian Cricket League in 2007. After serving a two-year ban Rayudu made a comeback to the Hyderabad Ranji team last season.