Ambati Rayudu broke down in tears as soon as Ravindra Jadeja poked the final delivery of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 final for four to help Chennai Super Kings (CSK) lift their fifth title at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Monday. It was an emotional moment for Rayudu, as he had already announced his retirement before this final, after a tremendous, trophy-laden career.
While fans would be celebrating CSK and MS Dhoni’s feat, as they equalled Mumbai Indians’ collection of five IPL trophies, Rayudu entered the record books in what was his final appearance. He finished his career level with Rohit Sharma for the most IPL wins – six.
It has been a topsy-turvy ride for Rayudu, who will look back with fondness at all the success he achieved in the IPL. Once labelled a ‘rebel’ for joining the breakaway Indian Cricket League (ICL), he signed off with a record that not even Dhoni can match.
IPL 2023 wasn’t the smoothest for Rayudu, who was mostly used as an Impact Player by CSK. But he did play some impactful knocks to help the team cruise through to the league phase. Even in the final, his knock shifted the momentum towards the Chennai outfit as he smashed 19 off 8, laced with two sixes and a four, at a strike-rate of 237.50. He delivered when it mattered the most.
Mohit Sharma was left surprised as Rayudu dispatched his deliveries with utmost ease. The 13th over was the one where Rayudu decided to go full throttle against Mohit. He started with a phenomenal maximum over long-off, before smashing a wide yorker past the extra-cover fielder. He launched off another inside-out over wide long-off before Mohit ended his brief yet impactful stay at the crease. It was a game-changing knock.
“It’s a fairy-tale finish,” said an emotional Rayudu, after controlling his tears. “I couldn’t have asked for more. I’m fortunate to have played in really great sides. I can smile for the rest of my life. All the hard work I’ve done in the last 30 years, I’m happy I got to finish on this note. I would really like to thank my family, my father. Without them, this wouldn’t have been possible.”
Even Ruturaj Gaikwad, the CSK opener who capped off a fantastic season with another important innings, dedicated the trophy win to Rayudu. That spoke volumes about the respect he has garnered over the years.
Players with most wins in IPL finals
6 – Rohit Sharma
6 – Ambati Rayudu
5 – Hardik Pandya
5 – Kieron Pollard
5 – MS Dhoni
In 2010, Rayudu embarked on his IPL journey with Mumbai Indians, and it was in 2013 that he secured his first title. He went on to win two more IPL trophies with Mumbai in 2015 and 2017. The year 2018 marked his transition to CSK, where he made a triumphant debut by capturing the title. In 2021, Rayudu added another championship to his remarkable record with CSK. Over the course of his illustrious IPL career, he accumulated 4,332 runs in 204 matches, boasting an average of 28.31 and a strike-rate of 127.22. Among his achievements are 22 fifties and a scintillating century. He leaves behind an almost-unmatched winning legacy.