[5][6] He featured in all 20 matches of the 2018–19 I-League campaign and also a couple in the 2019 Indian Super Cup, as he became a permanent fixture in the right full-back position.
[7][8] On 8 December 2019, Hyderabad head coach Phil Brown heaped praise on Rai after he put in a splendid display in the right-back position, in their narrow 1–0 defeat against Goa.
[9] The debut season of Hyderabad was a devastating one for the club and the fans, most of the Indian players didn't play in their preferred position and one of them was Rai.
[11] Rai and Hyderabad set the stage alight in the 2020-21 Indian Super League season, under the stewardship of Manolo Márquez.
Despite staying in contention for the playoffs throughout, the Nizams missed out on qualification on the final day due to a string of draws and dropped points.
[12] Rai was in sensational form throughout the season until he picked up a season-ending knee injury against Kerala Blasters, on 16 February 2021.