Former Indian batter Robin Uthappa believes Ambati Rayudu is one of the most underrated cricketers India has ever produced. Rayudu, on Sunday, announced that he will be retiring from the IPL after the final against Gujarat Titans.
The summit clash of the tournament between CSK and GT was shifted to Monday after rain played killjoy. The right-hander has had a great run in the IPL as he represented Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings throughout the last decade.
Rayudu has scored 4329 runs in 202 IPL matches at an average of 28.11 and a strike rate of 127.29.
“He has been there, done that, and seen it all. He is one of the most underrated cricketers, India has ever produced. He should have played Test Cricket, I can’t believe he did not play the game. He is an astute student of the game, someone who knows the game inside out. Absolute team man will do anything for the team. Every team would have loved to have him. I have loved him from the age of my junior days,” Uthappa told Jio Cinema.
“He dominated cricket through junior cricket. His retirement is kind of somber and heartfelt for me,” he added.
Rayudu won a total of five IPL trophies with Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings. Meanwhile, Rayudu hasn’t been at his best in the ongoing season for CSK as he has scored 139 runs in 11 innings at an average of 15.44 and a strike rate of 132.38. Rayudu has been used as an impact player by CSK in the ongoing season.
The right-hander played an instrumental role in taking CSK to glory in the 2018 season as he scored 602 runs in 16 matches at an average of 43 and a strike rate of 149.75 as an opener and finished as the team’s leading run-getter in the season.
“He did the grunt work for CSK. He opened in 2018, scored 600 runs and CSK won the title. They sent him in the middle to do grunt work after that. And he has done it without any complaint. People have trolled him for his performances and all that, but he has taken it on his chin. And the support staff have rallied around him. He deserves all the accolades,” he added.
Rayudu will look to end his career on a high as CSK take on Gujarat Titans in the IPL final on Monday.
