Ambati Rayudu, the prolific middle-order batsman for CSK, said he was extremely happy the way things finished off for his team, and that post this match he could afford to spend his retirement days in peace, bliss and happiness.
After all, even though he was not at the crease towards the end, his side managed to put it across the Gujarat Titans on the very last ball. His 19 runs off just 8 balls came at the right juncture tand proved invaluable in propelling CSK towards the finish line.
"It's a fairytale finish. I couldn't have asked for more. I'm fortunate to have played in really great sides. I can smile for the rest of my life. All the hard work I've done in the last 30 years, I'm happy I got to finish on this note."
This is what “fairytale finishes” are made of—to bid adieu to the game on an absolute high. Rayudu had earlier announced his decision to retire from the IPL after this year’s finals (come what may), so victory in this last outing wherein he represented CSK was certainly of special significance and he can now smile away for the rest of his life.
Rayudu, who has been around for the last three decades with various teams, was fortunately in the title-winning CSK team in his last IPL match. Having played with some of the very best talent in the cricketing world, he couldn’t have asked for anything more than this and said he was extremely thankful and fortunate to have played all along with such stalwarts. All his hard work has paid off rich dividends and he can now retire with a broad smile for keeps…. something to treasure for one’s retirement indeed.