Cricketer Ambati Rayudu about to embark on a second innings with politics

HYDERABAD: Following a successful career in cricket, Indian cricketer Ambati Rayudu is about to embark on a political career. If speculations are to be believed, the exceptional batsman would soon join Andhra Pradesh's YSR Congress party.

His affiliation with the YSRCP and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy was made apparent when he expressed his support to the latter on Twitter on Wednesday. While referring to the Chief Minister's speech of Wednesday in Srikakulam district, the ace batsman tweeted, "Great speech. Everyone in the state believes and trusts you, sir, our chief minister @ysjagan garu."

This isn't the first time Ambati Rayudu has indicated interest in politics or the party. Rayudu indicated his inclination to take the plunge following the current Indian Premier League (IPL) season, in which he plays for Chennai Super Kings.

Rayudu, who is from the Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh, is well aware of the negative consequences that politics could have on his life as a celebrity and as an individual, but he believes that educated young people should enter politics to make a difference, which is what pushed him to make this decision.

The star cricketer is said to have gotten feelers from numerous parties, but he is expected to announce his decision on which party he will join soon.

According to speculation, the outstanding batsman would soon join the ruling YSRCP party of Andhra Pradesh.

Rayudu belongs to Ponnur in Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh. He may throw his hat into the ring for the Ponnur ticket, currently being represented by Kilaru Rosaiah of the YSR Congress. The Chief Minister may rehabilitate the sitting MLA in some form, as his father-in-law and senior leader Dr Ummareddy Venkateswarlu has been loyal to the party since its inception.

Rayudu, if given a ticket for the Assembly, would add glamour to the polls.