The world of cricket and politics often cross paths in India, with several former cricketers making a successful transition to the political arena. The latest cricketer to declare his political ambitions is Andhra Pradesh’s very own Ambati Rayudu.
On Wednesday, June 28, the 37-year-old cricketer announced his decision to venture into politics. Having recently retired from the Chennai Super Kings after the Indian Premier League finals on May 29, Rayudu is keen to serve the people of his home state.
As a first step, Rayudu has embarked on a tour of his native Guntur district. During his visit to Mutluru village, nestled in the Vatticherukuru block, he revealed his political aspirations. He expressed his intention to travel across the district extensively, to get a pulse of the public sentiment and comprehend their issues.
“My aim is to understand the needs of the people in the rural parts of Guntur,” Rayudu stated. He further added, “Based on what I learn, I’ll devise a concrete action plan for my political approach and decide which platform to align with.” His words were later quoted in the Hindustan Times.
Despite the rising speculations about his potential candidacy for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Rayudu dismissed such notions. He refuted rumours of running from the Guntur or Machilipatnam parliamentary constituency.
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The latest cricketer to declare his political ambitions is Andhra Pradesh’s very own Ambati Rayudu
Prior to his political announcement, Ambati Rayudu paid visits to local places of worship. He offered special prayers at the Mulankareshwari temple in Aminabad village, and visited the Sai Baba Temple and Bala Yesu Church in Phirangipuram.
Taking a keen interest in local education, Ambati Rayudu also visited a school in Mutlur village. He engaged with students, shared a meal with them, and took the opportunity to learn about the challenges they face in their academic journey.
Ambati Rayudu’s cricketing journey has been an inspirational one, and his decision to enter politics reflects his desire to serve his people. With his on-field experience and off-field determination, Rayudu seems poised to bring a fresh perspective to the political landscape of Andhra Pradesh. As the cricketer turns politician, he steps onto a new playing field, this time not to score runs, but to score victories for the people of his state.