What Did Ambati Rayudu Say About His Time With MI?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Ambati Rayudu played a crucial role in the success of Mumbai Indians.
- The team fostered a supportive and close-knit dressing room environment.
- Rayudu transitioned to Chennai Super Kings after MI, where he continued to excel.
- He emphasized the importance of teamwork in achieving success.
- Rayudu's experiences highlight the competitive nature of the IPL.
New Delhi, Aug 12 (NationPress) Former Indian cricketer Ambati Rayudu reminisced about his remarkable eight-season journey with the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He emphasized the strong camaraderie within the dressing room, where players continuously rallied behind each other on the field.
During his tenure from 2010 to 2017, Rayudu participated in 87 matches, accumulating 1,771 runs with a highest score of 81 not out. He was instrumental in the team’s triumphs, contributing to their title victories in 2013, 2015, and 2017.
“When I was with MI, there was a silent agreement in the dressing room: if anyone attempted to challenge us, three or four players would immediately defend their teammate. This is why very few teams dared to confront MI. In contrast, RCB would challenge everyone. They would occasionally tease me or fellow MI players, but eventually, they recognized it wasn’t wise to provoke MI,” Rayudu mentioned on JioHotstar's 'Cheeky Singles'.
After his stint with MI, Rayudu transitioned to another IPL powerhouse, Chennai Super Kings (CSK), where he played from 2018 to 2021. In 61 matches for CSK, he scored 1,507 runs, including a century and seven fifties, and helped the franchise secure two titles, culminating his IPL career with five championship trophies.
“Occasionally, Mahi bhai would advise me - just like a metal roof heats up quickly, I tend to lose my temper swiftly. We would notify the umpire about wide balls or no-balls, and he always reminded me, ‘Focus on your batting, don’t raise your hand. I want to avoid losing Fair Play points because of you.' Interestingly, that same year, he stepped onto the field himself - not due to me, but because we were facing a loss,” he added.