Indian batsman and Chennai Super Kings player Ambati Rayudu, who retired from the Indian Premier League (IPL) after winning his sixth league title, has now announced his retirement from all forms of Indian cricket. Rayadu took to Twitter to make the announcement. “It was an emotional evening culminating in a special IPL win. At that climax I would like to announce my retirement from all forms of Indian cricket,” Rayudu wrote of his emotional journey.
“When I played with the cricket bat at home and played with the tennis ball as a child, I had no idea of the wonderful journey that would follow over more than two decades,” he added.
— ATR (@RayuduAmbati) May 30, 2023
The Andhra boy has played 55 ODIs for India where he had scored 1694 runs at an average of 47.05. His best batting was an unbeaten 124 runs. He scored three centuries and 10 fifties in ODI cricket for India. He also played six T20I matches for India, hitting 42 runs.
The former player remembered his debut game and cherished the moment. He said: “I consider it my greatest honor to have represented my country from the Under-19 to the top level. I still remember the day I received my Indian cap for the first time in 2013 – it’s a memory I will cherish forever.”
“I would like to thank the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Andhra Cricket Association (ACA), The Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA), Vidarbha Cricket Association (VCA) and Baroda Cricket Association (BCA) for showing faith in my ability and giving me the chance to express myself on the pitch,” he added.
Rayadu has represented Hyderabad, Andhra, Baroda and Vidarbha in domestic cricket.
In 97 first-class matches, he scored 6,151 runs at an average of 45.56 with 16 centuries and 34 fifties and a best score of 210. In 178 List-A cricket matches, he scored 5,607 runs at an average of 39.08 with five centuries and 40 fifties, with a best score of 124*. In 178 T20 matches he scored 6,028 runs at an average of 26.43, with a century and 31 fifties and a best score of 100*.
He also thanked both the Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings franchises that he had represented.
“I would also like to thank both IPL teams I played for – Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings. I am proud to finish my career as a six-time IPL winner.
Be part of the Mumbai Indians’ first ever IPL win in 2013 and win the IPL title with
Chennai Super Kings in 2018, 2021 and of course 2023 are memories that will stay with me forever,” he added.
He represented Mumbai Indians from 2010-2017 in 114 matches. He scored 2,416 runs at an average of 27.15 at a franchise strike rate of 126.16, with 14 half-centuries. His best score was 81*.
In 90 games for CSK, a franchise he joined in 2018, he scored 1,932 points at an average of 30.18. He has scored a century and eight fifties for CSK, with a best score of 100*.
In his 204-match IPL career, he scored 4,348 runs at an average of 28.23 and a strike rate of 127.24. He scored a century and 22 fifties, with a best score of 100*. He is the 12th highest scorer in league history.
His 2018 season with CSK is his most successful. He scored 602 points in 16 games at an average of 43.00. He scored a century and three fifties that season, with a best score of 100*.
He won the IPL trophy with MI (2013, 2015 and 2017) and CSK (2018 and 2021 and 2023) a total of six times. He is one of the most successful players in the league’s history due to his immense success as a batsman and his number of trophies.
In 16 matches of the 2023 IPL, he scored 158 points at an average of 15.80. In the last game and his final game, he had a significant contribution of 19 off 8 balls.
He also took the opportunity to praise MS Dhoni and said he was privileged to play with him in CSK and the Indian team.
“It was also a great privilege to play with captain MS Dhoni both at CSK and Team India. We have had some great memories both on and off the pitch over the last two decades which I will always cherish,” he continued .
“None of this would have been possible without the support of my precious family, especially my father Sambasiva Rao. Thanks to all my teammates, support staff, fans and all the coaches from my early days – this memorable journey of mine would not have been fulfilling without all of you. Thank you for standing by my side through the ups and downs. Your encouragement meant a lot to me. See you on the other side!” he concluded.
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