Former India batter Ambati Rayudu recently shared an interesting anecdote about MS Dhoni, revealing how the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) skipper would humorously compare Rayudu’s fiery temper to a tin roof heating up quickly under the sun. Speaking on JioHotstar’s Cheeky Singles, Rayudu recalled that Dhoni would often advise him to avoid unnecessary confrontations with umpires over wides or no-balls. Instead, Dhoni urged him to channel his focus on batting, warning that needless arguments could cost the team crucial Fair Play points.
“Sometimes, Mahi bhai would tell me, just like a tin roof heats up quickly, I lose my cool fast. We’d point out a wide or no-ball, and he’d say, ‘Just focus on batting, don’t raise your hand. I don’t want to lose Fair Play points because of you.’ Ironically, that same year he himself walked onto the field, not because of me, but because we were losing,” Ambati Rayudu shared with a smile.
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Rayudu played for CSK between 2018 and 2021, amassing 1,507 runs in 61 matches, including a brilliant century and seven fifties. During his tenure, he lifted two IPL titles with the franchise, adding to his overall tally of five championship wins in the tournament.
Before donning the yellow jersey, Ambati Rayudu was a key figure for the Mumbai Indians (MI) from 2010 to 2017. In 87 matches, he scored 1,771 runs, with a highest score of 81* and played a vital role in MI’s three championship victories in 2013, 2015, and 2017. Reflecting on his MI days, Rayudu described the dressing room as a tight-knit unit where players stood up for each other.
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“If someone tried to have a go at us, three or four teammates would step in immediately. That’s why very few teams messed with MI. RCB would go after everyone, including us, but even they eventually realised it wasn’t worth provoking MI,” Ambati Rayudu added.
From his fiery on-field moments to his championship triumphs, Rayudu’s career remains a mix of passion, resilience, and unforgettable IPL memories alongside legends like Dhoni.
