Chennai Super Kings (CSK) middle-order batter Ambati Rayudu has recently opined on the mood in the dugout during their tense last-ball win in the IPL 2023 final against the Gujarat Titans (GT) in Ahmedabad on May 29. While chasing a daunting 171 in 15 overs for victory in a rain-curtailed match, Ravindra Jadeja smashed a six and a four off the final two balls with 10 runs needed to seal the deal for CSK as well.
In an exclusive interview with NDTV Sports, Ambati Rayudu said: “I was right behind him ( Dhoni) and we were changing seats when we were not getting boundaries, hoping to change the luck. It was crazy, we all were shutting our eyes, we were just watching the game and really didn’t know what to do because once you are not in control, not on the ground, you are actually way more tensed and with the Ahmedabad dressing room being so far up, everybody had to sit in the dugout.”
However, Ambati Rayudu also applauded MS Dhoni for his gesture of allowing him to pick up the trophy following their nail-biting win. Notably, CSK have now equalled the Mumbai Indians’ (MI) record for five IPL titles and they have qualified for the final a record 10 times as well.
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He added: “Before the ceremony Dhoni came and told me and Jaddu that he wants us to join him in lifting the trophy and he thinks it’s the right avenue and moment to do it for both of us and it was really special on his part. I don’t think that has ever happened and that’s the person he is and the person the world knows so overall it is his gesture.”
Ambati Rayudu also praised CSK’s entire batting lineup for chasing a huge total of 171 in 15 overs against the strong Gujarat Titans’ bowling attack in the final. Rayudu, who announced his retirement from the IPL before the final, scored a quick 19 from eight deliveries to help CSK keep in the game. While speaking about his crucial cameo in the final, Rayudu shared praise to the entire batting unit for pulling off the thrilling run-chase as well.
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“Definitely, it was crucial but I think every knock there was crucial by everybody. Ajinkya before me was a very crucial knock, even Shivam playing till the end and those two sixes of Rashid from Shivam was crucial and definitely Jadeja in the end. The openers as well, they did a tremendous job throughout the season. Overall it was a great team effort. In a moment like that when you go in, it’s mostly your instincts that take over and you don’t actually think that much. You just see the ball and react and rely on all your practice, experience to come to the fore at that point,” Ambati Rayudu concluded.
