Having taken a retirement u-turn, Ambati Rayudu is looking forward to lead Hyderabad in the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy and rebegin his cricketing journey. The veteran right-hander is training hard for the start of the domestic season feeling quite "excited" but at the same time "relaxed" about the move back. 

"I play my brand of cricket and don’t care what others say. Once I keep performing I should be on the radar (of Indian team selection)," the 33-year-old, who took the controversial decision to retire following the snub for World Cup in UK this July, told Sportstar on Sunday (September 15). 

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"I am on a dual mission: go out there and express myself and groom young talent. It was certainly a difficult phase in my career when I announced my retirement. But, now I have come out of it. Fully committed. What happened is past."

With 55 ODIs for India behind him, Rayudu said the decision to comeback was taken after realising that he is still very much fit and good enough to continue playing the sport. 

"I retired only for 45 days and I don’t think there can be any big change in my game," he said. "It has been a 17-year-long journey in first-class cricket and having played the IPL for 10 seasons and for the country, I have taken the longest route to be where I am. I play on my own terms and will play as long as I feel I can."

Rayudu also revealed his goal for the season with Hyderabad. "Win the Ranji Trophy, for sure! Everyone of us (teammates and support staff) agree on that. It is something very emotional as we dream of putting our hands on the Ranji Trophy. I am sure this team can do it," he concluded. 

(Inputs from Sportstar)