As the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 continues to enthrall cricket lovers, the excitement isn’t limited to just on-field action. This season has also seen a refreshing change in the broadcast setup, with several former cricketers stepping into new roles behind the mic. Among the most talked-about additions to the expert panel are Shikhar Dhawan and Ambati Rayudu, two stalwarts who once wore the Indian jersey and now bring their insights and banter to fans watching from home.
Shikhar Dhawan takes a savage dig at Ambati Rayudu during MI vs CSK clash
The duo’s bond, however, goes much deeper. They’ve been teammates for nearly two decades, having first shared a dressing room during the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup 2004, where Rayudu led the side and Dhawan was one of the most promising young batters. That campaign, once full of promise, ended in heartbreak as India were knocked out in the semi-finals by arch-rivals Pakistan and as Dhawan recently reminded the world, the reasons behind that loss were as dramatic as they were unexpected.
During a live commentary on Star Sports for the match between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Mumbai Indians (MI), Dhawan casually dropped what would become one of the funniest and most viral moments of the season. Speaking with Aakash Chopra and Rayudu himself, Dhawan recounted the 2004 U19 World Cup incident where Rayudu was handed a one-match suspension just before India’s semi-final match, a key blow that arguably tilted the balance in Pakistan’s favour.
“Ambati Rayudu ka bahut bada naam tha U19 mein. Humare captain the U19 World Cup mein. Aur wahan pe bhi ban ho gaye the, humara semi-final mar gaya” (Rayudu had a big name in U19 cricket. He was our captain in the World Cup. And even there, he got banned and we lost our semi-final because of that), Shikhar said.
The dig was delivered with Dhawan’s signature smile and comic timing. Chopra immediately burst into laughter, while Rayudu momentarily taken aback couldn’t help but join in once the initial shock wore off. During the U19 World Cup 2024, Rayudu was banned for one match after breaching the ICC Code of Conduct. He was charged with misconduct and excessive time-wasting in an earlier game.
Here’s the video:
Ambati Rayudu Roasted ⚡#Cricket #ambatirayudu #ShikharDhawan pic.twitter.com/zVhr96NebL
— Aman (@Amanriz78249871) April 21, 2025
A nod to past controversies: Rayudu and the rebel ICL ban
Interestingly, Dhawan’s remark though light-hearted also stirred memories of another controversial chapter in Rayudu’s career. In 2007, Rayudu was among a group of Indian players who chose to participate in the unsanctioned Indian Cricket League (ICL), which had not received recognition from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Rayudu played for the Hyderabad Heroes from 2007 to 2008 and was consequently banned from BCCI-sanctioned tournaments. It was a bold but costly move that saw his career stall just as he was peaking. However, in 2009, the BCCI granted amnesty to 79 ICL players, allowing them to rejoin domestic and international circuits. Rayudu used the opportunity to script an impressive comeback, eventually becoming a regular for Mumbai Indians, CSK, and even earning a place in the Indian national side.
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