Ambati Rayudu has been enjoying the purple patch in the yellow Chennai Super Kings (CSK) jersey right from the beginning of the tournament. He played every game with a momentum which probably the world never saw before. Game after game, his consistency turned out to be top-notch, which earned him the trust of his captain MS Dhoni. On May 13, when CSK played Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) with a motive to inch another step towards the playoffs, Rayudu made the job easy by smashing his maiden IPL ton.
Opening the inning with Shane Watson, Rayudu turned ‘ON’ the beast mode. His furious knock and a partnership of 134 runs with Watson made achieving the target of 180 look like peanuts. After getting yet another 50 in this season, the 32-year-old cricketer turned more confident. As a result, he came up with a magnificent century off just 62 balls and grabbed the ‘Man of the Match’ award too. Carrying the bat for the first time in this season, he finished the game while batting alongside the best finisher in the world — MS Dhoni.
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Here’s the video:
Ambati Rayudu’s maverick ton!https://t.co/lPnQVfAupP
— Faizal Khan (@faizalkhanm9) May 13, 2018
While Rayudu happily received the ‘Man of the Match’ trophy, people on social media expressed how they were awestruck with his batting show.
Here’re the reactions:
I am overjoyed for Ambati Rayudu. Was asked to perform a different role this year and has played it stirringly.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) May 13, 2018
Ambati Rayudu scored a magnificent century as @ChennaiIPL ran out comfortable winners against the @SunRisers, chasing down 180 with 8 wickets to spare.
With this victory, they move on to 16 points and rise up to second in the table.#CSKvSRH #IPL2018
— Delhi Daredevils (@DelhiDaredevils) May 13, 2018
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Ambati Rayudu with a century against the best bowling in the competition! https://t.co/w3Ms5iWTUJ #CSKvSRH #IPL2018 pic.twitter.com/5CZtciafUp
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) May 13, 2018
In a dressing room with plenty of superstars, Ambati Rayudu has shone the brightest! And that’s a monumental achievement! #CSK #IPL2018
— RK (@RK_sports) May 13, 2018
This is brilliant from Ambati Rayudu. What an @IPL he has had. Opened doors to the national team as well.@ChennaiIPL on a roll here against top bowling side.
— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) May 13, 2018
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These reactions reflect the typhoon that Rayudu created in Pune. But what MS Dhoni said about Rayudu’s spectacular form was pure gold. He spoke about why Rayudu was his choice for the opening slot and where he rates him.
“Even before the start of the IPL, I had to make space for Ambati Rayudu. I rate him very high. He can play both pacers & spinners very well. Most teams exploit the opener with spin bowling. He’s someone who doesn’t look like big hitter but almost clears the field every time,” said Dhoni during the post-match press conference.
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Rayudu’s unbeaten inning consisted of 7 sixes and 7 boundaries and he batted with a strike rate of 161.29.
