Chennai Super Kings’ batting stalwart, Ambati Rayudu, has officially announced his retirement from the Indian Premier League (IPL), declaring that the upcoming final of the 2023 edition against the Gujarat Titans will mark his last appearance in the tournament. Rayudu, who joined CSK in 2018 after starting his IPL career with the Mumbai Indians in 2010, has enjoyed a successful journey with two championship victories with the franchise.
“2 great teams mi nd 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 hav enjoyed playing this great tournament.Thank u all. No u turn,” Ambati Rayudu wrote on his official Twitter account.
2 great teams mi nd 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 hav enjoyed playing this great tournament.Thank u all. No u turn 😂🙏
— ATR (@RayuduAmbati) May 28, 2023
Rayudu’s first taste of IPL success came in 2013 when he clinched the title with the Mumbai Indians, marking the franchise’s maiden triumph. He went on to secure two more titles in 2015 and 2017 before transitioning to CSK the following year. It was with MS Dhoni’s CSK that Ambati Rayudu made his mark as a power-hitting batsman.
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Ambati recorded some of his highest strike rates in IPL while donning the yellow jersey, notably achieving a strike rate of 149.75 in his debut season with CSK when the team lifted the title in 2018. Notably, it remains Rayudu’s most prolific season in terms of runs, as he scored 602 runs in 16 matches for the team.
Rayudu also contributed to CSK’s victorious campaign in 2021, showcasing a strike rate of 151.17 in 16 matches. However, the preceding year proved to be forgettable for both Rayudu and CSK, as the team finished in 9th place on the table, and the veteran batter briefly announced his retirement during the season. Nevertheless, Rayudu later retracted his statement and continued representing the side.
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In the current 2023 season, Rayudu’s performances with the bat have been inconsistent. Nonetheless, he has earned the trust of MS Dhoni, featuring in all 15 matches thus far. With 139 runs to his name at a strike rate of 132.28, Rayudu has showcased his resilience. Moreover, he joins the exclusive group of players who have appeared in 200 or more IPL matches. With 4239 runs under his belt, Rayudu currently ranks as the 12th highest run-scorer in the history of the league.
