CSK batter Ambati Rayudu has revealed the reason behind MS Dhoni’s gesture towards him after Chennai lifted the IPL trophy for the fifth time as they defeated Gujarat Titans in the last-ball thriller.
After the victory, CSK captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni made a touching gesture for Jadeja and Rayudu by asking both players to join him in receiving the IPL trophy at the post-game presentation ceremony.
“Before the ceremony, he called me and Jaddu, saying he wants us to join him in lifting the trophy. He thinks it was the right moment to do it with both of us. It was really special on his part, I don’t think that has ever happened. That’s the person he is, and the person that the world knows. Overall, it is his gesture,” Rayudu told NDTV.
On the eve of IPL 2023 final, Rayudu announced that it was time for him to hang his boots from all forms of Indian cricket.
“It has been an emotional night that culminated in a special IPL win. On that high note, I would like to announce my retirement from all forms of Indian cricket. When I took up the cricket bat as a kid playing with the tennis ball at home, I didn’t imagine the wonderful journey that would follow for three decades,” Rayudu posted on his social media.
Following the final win for CSK, skipper MS Dhoni would heap praises of the middle order batter, “The special thing about Rayudu is he will always give his 100% when he is on his field.”
In his social media post, Rayudu also mentioned the former India captain, “It has also been a great privilege to play with captain Dhoni bhai both with CSK and Team India. We have had some great memories over the last two decades both on and off the field, which will stay in my heart forever.”
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— ATR (@RayuduAmbati) May 30, 2023
Head Coach Stephen Fleming also acknowledged the significance of Rayudu’s performance after the game and remarked that the team will miss the seasoned Indian batter.
“Ambati Rayudu has been an absolute legend. I rate him so highly as a batter and those three balls against Mohit Sharma today proved against one of the most in-form bowlers… to hit him for 6, 4 and 6 was sheer class.
“Rayudu will leave a hole, there is no doubt about it, but the game keeps moving. Doesn’t it? We expected that for him to go out like that was pretty emotional within the group and for him as well,” Fleming had said.