Ambati Rayudu, the star batter of Chennai Super Kings, surprised fans by announcing his retirement from the Indian Premier League on Sunday. He confirmed that his final match in the tournament will be the 2023 edition’s final against Gujarat Titans. Rayudu has been an integral part of CSK since 2018 and has won two titles with the franchise. Worth noting, he began his IPL career with Mumbai Indians in 2010.
Rayudu’s decision to retire from the IPL has taken many fans and cricket enthusiasts by surprise. However, after careful contemplation, he made this choice.
In a tweet, Rayudu expressed, “2 great teams MI and CSK, 204 matches, 14 seasons, 11 playoffs, 8 finals, 5 trophies. Hopefully, 6th tonight. It’s been quite a journey. I have decided that tonight’s final is going to be my last game in the IPL. I truly enjoyed playing this great tournament. Thank you all. No U-turn.”
Rayudu experienced his first taste of IPL success in 2013, lifting the title with the Mumbai Indians. He won two more titles in 2015 and 2017 before joining CSK in 2018.
With CSK, Rayudu established himself as a power-hitter under the captaincy of MS Dhoni. In his debut season with CSK, Rayudu scored at an impressive rate of 149.75, helping the team secure the 2018 title. That season remains his best, scoring 602 runs in 16 matches.
Rayudu continued to shine in 2021, playing a crucial role in the team’s victory with a strike rate of 151.17 in 16 matches. However, the previous year was forgettable for Rayudu and CSK, with the team finishing 9th and Rayudu announcing his retirement mid-way through the season. He later retracted the statement and continued to represent the side.
In 2023, Rayudu has had mixed performances with the bat but has earned MS Dhoni’s trust, playing in all 15 matches so far. He has scored 139 runs in the season with a strike rate of 132.28. Despite the ups and downs, Rayudu’s contributions to the IPL have been significant, and his talent as a power-hitter remains undeniable.