Ambati Rayudu – Top 3 IPL knocks
Veteran Indian cricketer Ambati Rayudu called time on his IPL career ahead of the final of the 2023 edition. He finished his career on a high, playing a pivotal hand in CSK’s fifth IPL title win. He also joined his former skipper Rohit Sharma as the only two players to have lifted the title on six occasions. Following his farewell, we list his most memorable contributions with the bat in the illustrious competition.
55 against Rajasthan Royals, 2010
The middle-order stalwart made his IPL debut for the Mumbai Indians against a star-studded Rajasthan Royals at the Brabourne stadium in 2010. His undoubted talent was on full display in his first appearance in the tournament as he smashed a blistering half-century for the Mumbai-based franchise. He registered 55 runs off just 33 deliveries in a solid partnership with Saurabh Tiwary to help his side to a daunting total. Although the Rajasthan Royals almost pulled off a sensational chase thanks to Yusuf Pathan’s mind-boggling 36-ball century, the home side held their nerve to win the match by four runs.
72* against Mumbai Indians, 2021
After a glorious seven-year stint with Mumbai Indians, Ambati Rayudu joined forces with their arch-rivals Chennai Super Kings in 2018. The middle-order batting ace came back to haunt their side in the 2021 edition of the tournament. Rayudu smoked 72 runs off just 27 deliveries in an unbelievable display of power-hitting to take his side to a formidable total of 218 runs in their first innings.
100* against Sunrisers Hyderabad, 2018
Ambati Rayudu enjoyed his most prolific season with the bat after joining the Yellow Army in 2018. The hard-hitting batter from Andhra Pradesh registered his highest score in IPL history after compiling his maiden century against Sunrisers Hyderabad at MCA Stadium in Pune. His innings helped CSK chase down a challenging total with one over to spare, completing a comfortable victory. He finished the season with 602 runs in 16 matches, lifting the IPL trophy for a fourth time that year.
