IPL 2023: Ambati Rayudu’s six was the ‘Shot of the tournament’ – Mohammad Kaif
Ambati Rayudu played a vital cameo in the final of IPL 2023.
Former cricketer Mohammad Kaif showered praise on Ambati Rayudu for his “impactful knock” against the Gujarat Titans in the final of the 2023 Indian Premier League. He played a vital knock to power Chennai Super Kings’ to their fifth Indian Premier League title on Monday, May 29 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. It was Ambati Rayudu’s last match in the tournament, as he announced his retirement from the league.
Chasing 171 runs in 15 overs on D/Ls, the Chennai Super Kings were 117 at the loss of three wickets in around eleven overs. Ambati Rayudu joined Shivam Dube at the crease, with 54 runs needed off 25 deliveries. He played a blinder of 19 runs from just eight deliveries, with two sixes to keep them in the hut. The Chennai Super Kings eventually won the match by five wickets in a thrilling encounter. Mohammad Kaid expressed that Ambati Rayudu’s knock was a game-changing moment. He also added that the right-handed batter’s six off the back foot was the “hot of the tournament” for him.
“That impactful knock from Ambati Rayudu was the game-changing moment. His innings was very crucial in the context of the game. The six he hit going on the back foot was the shot of the tournament for me. It was identical to that iconic six which Virat Kohli hit in the T20 World Cup against Pakistan in Melbourne last year. Rayudu looked emotional but full credit to him for ending his IPL career on such a high,” said Mohammad Kaif on Star Sports’ Cricket Live.
It’s a fairy-tale finish – Ambati Rayudu on Chennai Super Kings’ 2023 title win
Ambati Rayudu has played in the Indian Premier League since the 2010 season. He was part of the Mumbai Indians till the 2017 season and won three titles with the franchise. He joined the Chennai Super Kings in 2018, and since then has been an integral part of the franchise. Overall, Ambati Rayudu has scored 4348 IPL runs at an average of 28.23, and a strike rate of 127.54, with a century and twenty-two fifties to his name. The 2023 championship was his sixth Indian Premier League title. The veteran batter expressed that it is a fairy-tale finish for him to retire with an IPL title win.
“Yes, it’s a fairy-tale finish. I couldn’t have asked for more. I mean it’s unbelievable. Fortunate to have played in really great sides and this is one of the sides. [On the importance of this, his final game] I can smile for the rest of my life. All the hard work for the last 30 years. I’m just happy that it finished on this night,” said Ambati Rayudu after Chennai Super Kings’ win in the final of the 2023 Indian Premier League.
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