On May 28 former India and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) batsman Ambati Rayudu announced his retirement from the Indian Premier League (IPL), and thus from all formats of cricket.
The batsman got to bow out in the grandest of manners, as CSK defeated Gujarat Titans to win this year's IPL trophy. Rayudu's explosive cameo of 19 runs in eight balls was pivotal for his side's victory.
The moment became even more special for Rayudu when CSK captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni invited him and Ravindra Jadeja to lift the IPL trophy with him.
MORE: Everything you need to know about WTC Final
'Dhoni thought it was the right moment': Rayudu
Speaking to NDTV (via Hindustan Times), Rayudu mentioned that just before the trophy presentation Dhoni asked him and Jadeja to accompany the CSK skipper to the podium when the trophy was going to be handed. For the Super Kings captain, it was the right moment for his two teammates to join him in lifting the trophy, and Rayudu further remarked that something like this has never happened before which shows why Dhoni is so special.
"Dhoni called me & Jadeja before the ceremony saying he wants us to join him in lifting the Trophy, he thinks it was the right moment to do it with both of us, it was really special from him, I don't think it has happened, that is the person he is, the person world knows," said Rayudu.
MORE: Bet on the World Test Championship in India here
IPL 2023: Ambati Rayudu overall performance
| Innings | Runs | Highest score | Average | Strike rate | 100s | 50s |
| 12 | 142 | 27* | 15.78 | 130.28 | 0 | 0 |