Former India and CSK batsman Suresh Raina posted an emotional post for Ambati Rayudu who announced his retirement on Sunday ahead of the IPL 2023 final against Gujarat Titans.
Hours before the final at the Narendra Modi stadium, he confirmed that the final against GT will be his last IPL match, bringing down a 14-year IPL career with two teams: Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings.
Suresh Raina’s heartfelt post for Ambati Rayudu:
Raina shared the dressing room with Rayudu from IPL 2018, when Rayudu joined CSK, till 2021, Raina’s last IPL season.
“Happy Retirement brotherman @RayuduAmbati. It has been an honor to share the field with you & get to know you both on and off-field. Your immense contributions to the sport have left an indelible mark that will never be forgotten. Wishing you the best always,” Suresh Raina tweeted.
Here, check out Suresh Raina’s post for Ambati Rayudu:
The 37-year-old Rayudu also jokingly said that there will be no “u turn” this time as he did last year.
In the middle of the IPL 2022 last year, Rayudu had announced his retirement via Twitter. However, he deleted it soon after intervention from the Chennai Super Kings management.
In 2019 as well, after being snubbed from selection for the 2019 World Cup, a disappointed and frustrated Rayudu had announced retirement from all forms of the game, but retracted it and returned to play domestic cricket and the IPL.
This time, though, it is a confirmed retirement from Ambati , who will play his last career IPL match in the Indian Premier League 2023 final against GT.
In his retirement tweet, Ambati thanked the two IPL teams he’s played for Mumbai Indians (MI) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK).
“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,” Rayudu tweeted.
Ambati Rayudu IPL stats:
In 203 IPL matches, he has scored 4329 runs with 22 fifties and one hundred, which came vs SRH in 2018.
Rayudu started his IPL career in 2010. He was banned from the first two IPL seasons because of his involvement with an unsanctioned cricket league, the Indian Cricket League (ICL).
Rayudu was with MI from 2010 to 2017, winning three titles in 2013, 2015, and 2017. He was bought by Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2018 mega-auction. With Chennai Super Kings, he won titles in 2018, and 2021.
With 5 IPL titles, Rayudu is the joint second most successful player in the IPL, along with Kieron Pollard. If Rayudu and Chennai Super Kings win the title against GT, Rayudu will become the joint-most successful player in the IPL with six title, joined with Rohit Sharma.
