Cricket

MS Dhoni's IPL Legacy: Ambati Rayudu Urges Legend to Play One More SeasonFormer Chennai Super Kings (CSK) middle-order batter Ambati Rayudu has expressed his desire for Mahendra Singh Dhoni to extend his illustrious Indian Premier League (IPL) career by one more season. Rayudu's plea comes after CSK's disappointing elimination from the tournament, which has sparked speculation about Dhoni's potential retirement from the league."MS Dhoni should play one more season. This shouldn't be his last, he cannot leave like this, he should play next season and win the IPL. He's a once in a generation player and once in a generation human being," Rayudu said on Star Sports.Rayudu's comments reflect the immense respect and admiration he holds for Dhoni, who has been a pivotal figure in CSK's success over the years. Under Dhoni's leadership, CSK has won four IPL titles and has consistently been one of the most formidable teams in the league.Dhoni's retirement would mark the end of an era for CSK and the IPL as a whole. The 41-year-old has been a constant presence in the tournament since its inception in 2008, and his experience and leadership have been invaluable to his teams.However, Dhoni's recent form has raised questions about his ability to continue playing at the highest level. In this season's IPL, he has struggled with the bat, scoring only 232 runs in 14 matches. Despite his struggles, Dhoni remains a key figure in the CSK dressing room, and his presence alone can inspire his teammates.Rayudu's plea for Dhoni to play one more season is likely to resonate with CSK fans and cricket enthusiasts around the world. Dhoni's legacy in the IPL is unmatched, and his retirement would be a significant loss for the tournament.

MS Dhoni's immense popularity in the cricket world is undeniable. His presence on the field electrifies the atmosphere, with every stroke of his bat met with thunderous applause and chants of adoration. Former CSK teammate Ambati Rayudu believes that Chennai Super Kings fans are primarily Dhoni fans, stating that even when other players hit boundaries, the crowd remains silent.In a crucial match against the Rajasthan Royals, the Chennai Super Kings emerged victorious, keeping their playoff hopes alive. The Yellow Brigade secured a commanding five-wicket win, propelling them to third place in the points table.Post-match, emotions ran high at the MA Chidambaram Stadium as fans witnessed the heartwarming reunion between Dhoni and Suresh Raina, known as 'Chinna Thala' to supporters. CSK celebrated their triumph with a lap around the stadium, during which Dhoni and Raina distributed tennis balls as memorabilia.Despite being the defending champions, CSK's playoff berth is still uncertain, adding an element of suspense to their campaign. The team's final group fixture at their Chennai stronghold will determine their fate in the tournament.

Suryakumar Yadav's Footwork Flaw: A Potential Achilles Heel in T20 World CupFormer Indian cricketer Ambati Rayudu has identified a significant technical flaw in star batter Suryakumar Yadav's batting technique, which could be exploited by rival bowlers in the upcoming T20 World Cup. Rayudu, now a respected analyst, believes that Suryakumar's footwork, particularly against fast bowlers, could be a hindrance to his consistency at the international level.Rayudu's observations stem from Suryakumar's recent performance against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL). In the 11th over, KKR's Andre Russell bowled a delivery outside the off-stump, tempting Suryakumar to pull towards the leg side. However, he mistimed his shot, sending the ball flat towards deep square leg for an easy catch."There is a plan in terms of bowling to Suryakumar Yadav," Rayudu said on Star Sports. "You bowl slow and you bowl wide. We have seen that in the World Cup as well. When the pitch is slow with a bigger boundary on one side, teams have a plan against him. He needs to work on that a little bit."Despite his aggressive batting style and ability to score quickly, this technical aspect could be a hindrance to Suryakumar's consistency at the international level. Rayudu emphasized the importance of addressing this issue to ensure that Suryakumar remains a vital asset for the Indian cricket team.Suryakumar has maintained commendable form throughout this IPL season, tallying 345 runs in 10 matches with an average of 38.33 and a striking rate of 169.95. However, Rayudu's insights could offer a strategic advantage to opposition bowlers in the T20 World Cup.

Former Indian batsman Ambati Rayudu has recently shed light on the contrasting cultures between two of the most successful franchises in the Indian Premier League (IPL): Mumbai Indians (MI) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Rayudu, a six-time IPL winner, has played for both teams, winning three titles with MI and three with CSK.Rayudu's comments highlight the different approaches adopted by the two franchises. He suggests that MI places a greater emphasis on winning, while CSK focuses more on the process. "MI mostly wants to win, and their culture is like everything depends on winning. They have a culture of jeetna hi hai (win is a must). Winning is non-negotiable," Rayudu said.In contrast, Rayudu believes that CSK provides a more conducive environment for player development. "CSK has a much better environment. You can play there longer. If you play in MI for a long time, toh brain fatt jayega (Your brain will explode)," he added.Rayudu's comments have sparked discussions about the different management styles and cultures within IPL franchises. Some experts believe that MI's win-at-all-costs mentality can lead to pressure and burnout for players, while CSK's focus on process and development fosters a more sustainable and enjoyable environment.However, Rayudu has since clarified his comments, stating that they were taken out of context. He emphasized that he respects and appreciates his time at MI, acknowledging the positive impact the franchise has had on his career.Despite the clarification, Rayudu's initial comments have raised questions about the potential impact of different franchise cultures on player well-being and longevity. As the IPL continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how franchises balance the pursuit of success with the need to create a supportive and sustainable environment for their players.

Ruturaj Gaikwad's maiden IPL captaincy stint has been a rollercoaster ride, marked by both triumphs and setbacks. After taking over the reins from MS Dhoni, Gaikwad led CSK to a promising start with four wins in their first six games. However, consecutive defeats to Lucknow Super Giants have cast a shadow over his leadership.CSK's recent loss at home to LSG exposed their bowling frailties and Gaikwad's tactical decisions. Former CSK batter Ambati Rayudu reportedly criticized Gaikwad's field placements in the death overs, highlighting his lack of experience as captain.However, Rayudu has since denied making such comments, slamming the publication that attributed them to him. He clarified that he was not even commentating on the day in question and was instead picking mangoes at his farm.Despite Rayudu's denial, the criticism of Gaikwad's captaincy has continued. Former India batter Navjot Singh Sidhu argued that if Dhoni is credited for CSK's wins, he should also be held accountable for their losses.The back-to-back defeats to LSG have pushed CSK out of the playoff places, leaving Gaikwad under immense pressure. The team will face Sunrisers Hyderabad on Sunday in a crucial match that could determine their playoff hopes.

The Indian cricket team is gearing up for the upcoming T20 World Cup, scheduled to be held in the USA and West Indies from June 2 to 29. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is expected to announce the squad before the end of this month.Former Indian players have been weighing in on the potential squad, with some surprising omissions and inclusions. Former all-rounder Irfan Pathan has included Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya in his squad, but only if he is bowling regularly. Pathan emphasized that Pandya's batting prowess is undeniable, but his bowling effectiveness is equally important.Pathan's squad also features under-fire Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya, but on one condition. Pathan emphasized that Pandya's inclusion depends on his bowling fitness, given his undeniable batting prowess. However, the effectiveness of his bowling holds equal significance; if he isn't consistently and effectively bowling, the team's composition warrants a reassessment."My squad for the World Cup. 1) Rohit Sharma (C)2) Yashasvi Jaiswal 3) Virat Kohli4) Surya Kumar Yadav 5) Rishabh pant (wk)6) Shivam Dube7) Hardik Pandya provided he is bowling regularly8)Rinku singh 9)Ravindra jadeja10) Kuldeep Yadav 11)Jasprit Bumrah 12)Arshdeep singh 13)Mohammed Siraj 14)Ravi Bishnoi/Yuzi chahal 15) shubhman gill/ sanju Samson Travelling reserves. 2 Fast bowlers, wicket keeper, batsman." Pathan posted his squad on X.— IrfanPathan (@IrfanPathan)Former India batsman Ambati Rayudu, who is among the Star Sports experts panel, also picked his Team India squad for the T20 World Cup. Surprisingly, Rayudu's squad includes only one allrounder in the form of Ravindra Jadeja, while also featuring young pace sensation Mayank Yadav, who is nursing an injury.For the middle-order batting slots up for grabs, Rayudu went ahead with the in-form players Riyan Parag and Shivam Dube, while preferring veteran Dinesh Karthik over Rishabh Pant in the wicketkeeper-batsman's role. He also ignored KL Rahul, who has been doing well for Lucknow Super Giants in the role of 'keeper-batsman.Ambati Rayudu's India squad for T20 World Cup: Rohit Sharma (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Riyan Parag, Rinku Singh, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Mayank Yadav

Former Indian batsman Ambati Rayudu has unveiled his squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup, featuring a surprising selection of only one all-rounder and the inclusion of injured pace sensation Mayank Yadav.Rayudu's squad prioritizes in-form players, with Riyan Parag and Shivam Dube filling the middle-order batting slots. Veteran Dinesh Karthik is preferred over Rishabh Pant as the wicketkeeper-batsman, while KL Rahul is surprisingly omitted despite his impressive performances for Lucknow Super Giants.Rinku Singh is included as the designated finisher alongside Karthik. The top order remains unchanged, featuring Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, and Suryakumar Yadav.Hardik Pandya's poor form has cost him a place in the squad, leaving Ravindra Jadeja as the lone all-rounder. Dube has not been regularly used as a bowler by Chennai Super Kings in the IPL.The pace attack is led by Jasprit Bumrah, with Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, and Mayank Yadav completing the quartet. Yadav is still recovering from an injury and has yet to feature for Lucknow Super Giants.Left-arm spin all-rounder Jadeja is joined by chinaman Kuldeep Yadav and legspinner Yuzvendra Chahal as the designated spinners.

Ambati Rayudu, a seasoned middle-order batter who has played for both Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Mumbai Indians (MI) in the Indian Premier League (IPL), recently shared his insights into the contrasting work cultures of the two franchises.Rayudu, who has been a part of both CSK and MI's title-winning sides, highlighted the significant difference in their approaches to winning. While CSK emphasizes the process and remains relatively unaffected by results, MI places an unwavering focus on victory."CSK focuses more on the process. They don't analyze the results much. Their mood and mood swings are not because of the results," Rayudu explained. "MI is a bit different. MI mostly wants to win, and their culture is like, everything depends on winning. They have a culture of, 'win is a must at all cost.' Winning is non-negotiable."Rayudu acknowledged that the pressure to perform at MI is immense, as the franchise is result-oriented. However, he also praised MI for fostering an environment where players improve and become better versions of themselves."When I used to play for MI, my game improved a lot when I was in the franchise. If you have not won the match, they do not see an excuse. You also do not get a platform to give an excuse. At the end of the day, you have to perform. MI has an environment where you keep getting better," Rayudu said.In contrast, Rayudu described CSK's environment as more relaxed and focused on the long-term development of players. "CSK has a much better environment. You can play for longer years there. But if you play for more time at MI, your brain will explode," he joked.Despite the contrasting cultures, Rayudu emphasized that both CSK and MI are successful franchises that work hard. He also noted that the new captains, Ruturaj Gaikwad for CSK and Hardik Pandya for MI, are bringing their own unique styles of leadership to the teams.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to kick off its 17th season on March 22, with defending champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) taking on Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in Chennai. Ahead of the tournament, former India and CSK batsman Ambati Rayudu has shared his thoughts on the upcoming extravaganza.Rayudu, who has played for both Mumbai Indians and CSK, believes that it will be a challenging task for Hardik Pandya to lead Mumbai Indians, given the different setups of Gujarat Titans and Mumbai Indians. He suggests that Pandya should have played for Mumbai Indians for a year before taking over the captaincy, especially considering Rohit Sharma's continued role as India's captain.Rayudu also expressed his admiration for Rohit Sharma, stating that he believes Sharma can continue playing in the IPL for the next 5-6 years. He added that if Sharma desires to captain a team, he has ample opportunities available to him.Rayudu went on to express his desire to see Rohit Sharma play for CSK in the future. He said, "I want Rohit Sharma to play for CSK in 2025. If MS (Dhoni) retires, then Rohit can lead as well."Rohit Sharma is the fourth-highest run-getter in IPL history, with 6211 runs from 243 matches. Mumbai Indians will begin their IPL campaign against Gujarat Titans on March 24.