Ending speculation, former Indian cricketer Ambati Rayudu denied contesting LS poll

Guntur: Ending speculation, former India ODI specialist and Chennai Super Kings regular Ambati Rayudu denied reports of contesting the Lok Sabha poll from the Guntur constituency.

Rayudu is yet to take a call on his entry into politics.

Rayudu who announced retirement after the IPL 2024, visited Phirangipuram in Guntur district. He visited a temple and later met schoolchildren.

Rumors about Rayudu’s forays into politics have been making rounds ever since he met Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy in Vijayawada. He met him before the IPL match which set the rumor mills churning about his entry into politics.

Speaking to the local media, Rayudu said: "Earlier meetings with Jagan Mohan Reddy were not about politics. We discussed the development of sports in the state".

As a resident of Guntur, Rayudu was keen to create more avenues for youth at the grassroots level.

Will do public service:

Rayudu said he will be based out of Guntur after the IPL and will be often meeting people.

"I will do public service. How and where will be announced soon. On the ground level, I am currently trying to know the problems of the public and farmers," said Rayudu, during his visit to a school in Guntur.

Rayudu who is from Guntur is a distant relative of Ambati Rambabu who is a minister in the current YSRCP government. He comes from the Kapu community. Several popular actors from the community including Konidela Chiranjeevi and Pawan Kalyan entered politics.

It will be interesting to note how Rayudu will take on Jana Sena party chief Pawan Kalyan as he also belongs to the same community.