After the Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) last-ball triumph against the Gujarat Titans (GT) in the grand finals in Ahmedabad on Monday, veteran batter Ambati Rayudu revealed his opinion on the ideal way to say goodbye to the IPL.
Ambati announced his retirement from the IPL after this season prior to the final. Since 2010, the right-handed batter has been a member of the league for 14 years. He has played for both the most successful teams Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings.
Ambati discussed how he felt after the sixth IPL victory with teammate Devon Conway.
Here’s a video of it from the IPL’s official social media account:
A memorable farewell for a memorable career ????????????????
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 30, 2023
Ambati Rayudu shares his emotions of winning the #TATAIPL 2023 #Final with Devon Conway ???????????????? – By @ameyatilak #CSKvGT | @RayuduAmbati pic.twitter.com/8ZPtPCpYEw
Ambati was crucial in the final, striking a quickfire 19 off eight deliveries at a critical point in the run chase.
Rayudu was instrumental in CSK’s previous three victories, notably in 2018, when he led the team in run-scoring with 602 runs in 16 games.
He was also part of MI’s championship teams in 2013, 2015, and 2017. Along with MI captain Rohit Sharma, he is one of only two players to have been a member of six title-winning teams.
“It’s a fairytale finish and I couldn’t have asked for more” – Ambati Rayudu after CSK beat GT in IPL 2023 final
Ambati Rayudu was pleased for the fairytale finish to his long IPL career, as the team won the IPL 2023 title against the Gujarat Titans in the final.
Chasing a tough 171-run target in 15 overs for win, the CSK batters, especially Rayudu, put on a clinical show to smash the target with a boundary on the last ball of the game.
After the game, Ambati Rayudu told the broadcasters:
“It’s a fairytale finish and I couldn’t have asked for more. It’s unbelievable, really fortunate to have played in some great sides. This win is something I will remember for the rest of my life, for all the hardwork in the last 30 years, happy that it finished on this note.”
“I would like to take this moment to thank my family and thank my father, without him I wouldn’t have been here today,” he added.
Rayudu, one of the most versatile and selfless players, finished his IPL career with 4,348 runs with a strike rate of 127.54 and an average of 28.23.
Despite a poor last season with the bat, the 37-year-old batted in the bottom middle order and assisted CSK under difficult circumstances.
Rayudu also retired from international cricket in July 2019, having played 55 One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and six T20Is for Team India, with an ODI average of 47.06.