‘Would love to play for them’ – Ambati Rayudu hopeful of getting picked by CSK for IPL 2022

The upcoming mega auction is predicted to be the biggest in IPL’s history. Several players would be trying their luck in the event. The auction pool contains a number of former players of eight existing teams. Some of these players might reunite with their old franchise.

Ambati Rayudu, who has played for Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings, is also one of the players who will be in the auction pool this year. Rayudu started his IPL career with Mumbai Indians in 2010 and stayed in the team till 2017.

In 2018, Chennai Super Kings bought Rayudu for INR 2.2 crores. He played 61 matches for the franchise and made 1500 runs at an average of 34.09 and a strike rate of 129.64. Rayudu has expressed his desire to reunite with the CSK franchise and termed his stint a very special one.

“My stint with CSK has been a very special one. We have won two IPLs till now and played one final. 2018 was a very special season, a comeback season for CSK, and us winning the IPL that year made it very special,” Rayudu was quoted as saying in My Khel.

Ambati Rayudu dedicated his comeback to CSK

After Rayudu was snubbed from the 2019 ODI World Cup squad, he announced his retirement in July 2019. But, he made himself available for selection after two months. Rayudu was one of the five standbys in the Indian squad and missed his place as selectors preferred Vijay Shankar over him. Rayudu made a sarcastic comment after he was not picked. Rayudu mentioned that CSK helped him get back on track and his comeback.

“2019 World Cup definitely was disappointing for me, for not making the squad. My comeback was dedicated to CSK and how they helped me get through that phase and time and I am thankful to them,” Rayudu added.

Rayudu also said that CSK captain MS Dhoni had a huge impact on his career. He was of the opinion that Dhoni brings the best performance out of everyone in the team.

“Dhoni bhai has had the impact of getting the best out of me, not only me but he has an impact on everyone and brings the best performance out of everyone in the team. That is why he is the best captain India has ever had,” Rayudu said.

“…I would definitely love to play for CSK. Formally, there has not been any communication with me so far, But I am hoping to get picked by them and have a successful league again,” he added.