Virat Kohli did not like Ambati Rayudu, claims Robin Uthappa

In yet another shocking revelation, former India batter Robin Uthappa claims Virat Kohli did not like Ambati Rayudu, and that's why the latter did not make the squad for the 2019 World Cup despite being a firm contender to bat at four for India. 

Earlier, Uthappa had also revealed that Kohli played a key role in ending Yuvraj Singh's career as he did not make exceptions for the World Cup winner after he recovered from cancer. “If he [Kohli] didn't like anyone, he didn't feel someone is good, then they were cut," Uthappa said in an interview with Lallantop.

"Rayudu is the prime example. You feel bad. Everybody has preferences, I agree, but you cannot close the door on a player after taking him to the cusp. He had World Cup clothes, World Cup kit bag, everything was there at his home. 

"A player would be thinking that he is going to the World Cup. But you shut the door on him. That wasn't fair, according to me."

Initial reports suggested that Rayudu and selector MSK Prasad were not on good terms, which was thought to be the reason behind Rayudu's exclusion.

Vijay Shankar got the nod ahead of Rayudu for the 2019 World Cup, where India crashed out in the semi-final stage. Rayudu never played for India after that, finishing his career with 55 ODIs and six T20Is at the international level. He retired from international cricket in July 2019 and called time on his cricketing career four years later in May 2023.