Privilege to play with MS Dhoni: Ambati Rayudu retires from all forms of cricket after CSK win 5th IPL title

37-year-old Ambati Rayudu announced his retirement from all forms of cricket, a day after winning the IPL 2023 crown with Chennai Super Kings. Rayudu announced before the IPL 2023 final that he was retiring from the IPL after CSK's summit clash against Gujarat Titans and he ended his storied career in the T20 tournament with his 6th title.

Ambati Rayudu could not have asked for a better finish to his IPL career as he played a key role in CSK beating Gujarat Titans in the final in Ahmedabad. Rayudu was on the stage with MS Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja as the three players lifted the IPL trophy together at the Narendra Modi Stadium.

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"It has been an emotional night that culminated in a special IPL win. On that high note, I would like to announce my retirement from all forms of Indian cricket. When I took up the cricket bat as a kid playing with the tennis ball at home, I didn’t imagine the wonderful journey that would follow for three decades," Rayudu said in his social media post.

Rayudu took to social media on Tuesday to announce that he was hanging up his boots from all forms of the game. The veteran batter, who played for Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings in the IPL, had not played for India in March 2019, but he was actively playing domestic cricket after joining Baroda last season. Rayudu played as many as 6 matches for Baroda in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2022-23 as he warmed up to the IPL.

"I consider it my greatest honor to have represented my country from the Under-15 to the highest level. I still remember the day I received my India cap for the first time in 2013 – it is a memory I will cherish forever," he added.

Rayudu made his India debut in 2013 and went on to play 55 ODIs and 6 T20Is. The Andhra Pradesh cricketer scored 1694 runs, including 3 hundreds in the 50-over format of the game. Rayudu played the 2004 U19 World Cup for India and was touted to be become one of the mainstays of the Indian senior national team.

Despite not realising his potential, Rayudu played a key role for India during his time with the senior national team and all but made it to the 2019 World Cup squad. The outspoken cricketer expressed his disappointment at not making the final cut with his famous '3D' tweet aimed at the selection committee at that time.

Rayudu's IPL heroics over the years have made him an unforgettable part of the tournament history. Rayudu was part of the Mumbai Indians' squad that won its first title in 2013. He scored over 600 runs when CSK won their 3rd title on return to the tournament on a 2-year suspension.

Rayudu played his IPL with a selfless attitude as he was open to playing in the middle-order for CSK even after the success at the top. Rayudu was used as an Impact Player in 2023 and he delivered the goods in the business stage of the tournament.

“It has also been a great privilege to play with captain Dhoni bhai both with CSK and Team India. We have had some great memories over the last two decades both on and off the field, which will stay in my heart forever," Rayudu said, paying a special tribute to Dhoni.