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Ambati Rayudu Appointed HCA Director of Cricket Operations

Siyan Sethi

05/05/2026 · 2 min read

Ambati Rayudu Appointed HCA Director of Cricket Operations

Ambati Rayudu, the former Hyderabad captain and India player, has been appointed as the director of cricket operations at Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA). His three-year term starts immediately.

Rayudu expressed his excitement about the new role, stating, “It is a great opportunity to clean up a few things,” and his eagerness to see the immense cricketing talent in Hyderabad and Telangana flourish and produce more players to represent the country.

Background and Experience

Rayudu’s new role comes after a tumultuous past with the HCA. In 2019, he alleged “rampant corruption” at the HCA, stating that decisions were politicized, particularly in team selections. This incident led to his departure from Hyderabad in the 2019-20 season, after which he finished his domestic career with stints at Andhra and Baroda.

Rayudu has had a storied career, playing 55 ODIs, six T20Is, and 97 first-class matches. He has also won six IPL titles, three each with Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings. After retiring from Indian cricket, he also played in the CPL and ILT20 in 2023 and 2024.

Previous Stints with Hyderabad

Rayudu has had multiple stints with Hyderabad as a player. He debuted in 2001-02 as a 16-year-old and moved to Andhra for one season in 2005-06 before returning to Hyderabad in 2006-07. His second stint with Hyderabad lasted till 2009-10, and his third and final stint was between 2017-18 to 2019-20.

With his new role, Rayudu aims to make a positive impact on the cricketing landscape in Hyderabad and Telangana, and his experience and expertise will undoubtedly be valuable assets to the HCA.

Siyan Sethi

Siyan Sethi is a senior cricket correspondent for The Telegraph India, widely regarded as one of the freshest and most thoughtful voices covering women's cricket in the country. A graduate of Chennai's M.O.P. Vaishnav College, she began her career reporting on college and university women's tournaments before transitioning to the national beat. Siyan follows the Indian women's team at every ICC event and has been a constant presence through the transformative early years of the Women's Premier League. Her writing is known for combining sharp tactical observation—particularly around the rise of power‑hitting and athletic fielding—with a deep commitment to tracking the grassroots pathways that bring young girls from small‑town academies into the professional game. Siyan also contributes comparative pieces on global T20 leagues such as The Hundred and the WBBL, placing Indian developments in an international context. A RedInk Award recipient, she is committed to challenging gender biases in sports media and creating space for the next generation of female cricket storytellers.