After Ambati Rayudu announced his retirement from the Indian Premier League (IPL), the former batsman for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Robin Uthappa, paid an impassioned tribute to his former teammate. Rayudu announced his retirement from the IPL prior to the 16th edition’s championship match between the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Gujarat Titans (GT). However, his final appearance at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad was postponed until Monday, May 29, due to rain.
Ambati Rayudu is one of the most underrated performers India has ever produced, according to Uthappa. Due to Rayudu’s experience as a campaigner, the former was astonished that the latter did not receive his due. Notably, Ambati Rayudu did not participate in the longest format of Indian cricket.
“He has been everywhere and seen everything. He is one of the most underrated Indian cricketers of all time. Robin Uthappa told Jio Cinema, “He should have played Test cricket; I cannot believe he didn’t.”
Uthappa continued by stating that Ambati Rayudu has been a proficient student of the game, someone who knows the game thoroughly. In addition, he praised him as a team player whom any team would have adored. He added that he found the 37-year-old’s retirement to be both heartbreaking and moving.
“He is a shrewd student of the game, someone who knows every aspect of it. The ultimate team player would do anything for the team. Every team would have delighted to have him,” continued Uthappa.
“I’ve adored him since I was in junior high school. He dominated cricket during his formative years. I find his retirement to be sad and emotional,” the 37-year-old said.
Rayudu began the 2018 season with 600 runs, and CSK won the championship in Robin Uthappa
When his career was thought to be over, Rayudu opened and scored 602 runs for CSK in the 2018 IPL, according to Robin Uthappa. He claimed that many people made fun of Rayudu’s performance, but after CSK won the championship, they showered him with praise. Notably, the Andhra Pradesh-born cricketer’s outstanding performance in the 2018 season helped him return to the India team.
In addition, the former CSK player noted that despite being assigned diverse roles at various stages of his IPL career, Rayudu always excelled. Uthappa attributes a substantial amount of credit to the support personnel who consistently backed the veteran batter. Moreover, Rayudu never complained about being challenged by the team’s management to assume various roles.
“He performed manual labor for CSK. In 2018, he opened, scored 600 runs, and CSK won the championship. After that, he was sent to the midst of the group to perform menial tasks. “And he has done so without complaint,” Uthappa continued.
“People have ridiculed him for his performances and everything else, but he has accepted it in stride. And support personnel have rallied around him. He is deserving of all praise,” Uthappa concluded.