Former India batsman Ambati Rayudu, who announced his sudden retirement from the game after being sidelined for the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup, transformed himself into a dependable and vital cog in the wheel for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the last four years. Rayudu had a sensational run in the first season with the men in yellow in 2018, in which they won the trophy, scoring 602 runs in 16 games at an average of 43 and strike rate of 149.75.
However, from a solid middle-order player, Rayudu’s hitting abilty came of age in the 2021 edition where he was consistently in the list of the players with the best strike rate and ended the season with a strike-rate of 151. Now with the mega auction coming up and not retained by the franchise, Rayudu hoped that he is bought by a team at the bidding table as he wants to play for at least three more years.
Speaking to the news agency PTI, Rayudu, who recently played for Hyderabad in the Vijay Hazare Trophy said, “I would love to keep playing till I am in good form and fit. I will be ready for the next cycle, which is three years and I am working hard on my fitness.
“I recently played the Vijay Hazare Trophy which is five one-day games in six days which I got through well. I am in good shape and I hope to continue to play at least for the next three years,” the 36-year old added.
Rayudu mentioned that he was definitely disappointed after missing out on a place in the 2019 World Cup squad and dedicated his comeback into runs and form to CSK. The Hyderabad batsman said that he had a special stint with the men in yellow and heaped praise on MS Dhoni for getting the bets out of him.
“2019 World Cup definitely was disappointing for me, for not making the squad. My comeback was dedicated to CSK and how they helped me get through that phase and time and I am thankful to them.
“My stint with CSK has been a very special one. We have won two IPLs till now and played one final. 2018 was a very special season, a comeback season for CSK and us winning the IPL that year made it very special,” said Rayudu.
“Dhoni bhai has had the impact of getting the best out of me, not only me but he has an impact on everyone and brings the best performance out of everyone in the team. That is why he is the best captain India has ever had,” he further added.
In the four seasons with CSK, Rayudu amassed 1500 runs in 61 games at an average of around 34 including a century and 7 fifties. He said that he would love to play for CSK and was hoping to get picked by the franchise again.
“I would definitely love to play for CSK. Formally, there has not been any communication with me so far, But I am hoping to get picked by them and have a successful league again,” he said.
CSK won their fourth title beating Kolkata Knight Riders in the final. The Dhoni-led side retained Ravindra Jadeja, Moeen Ali and Ruturaj Gaikwad in addition to the skipper
