IPL 2023: "A Small Kid Named Ambati Rayudu..." - Aakash Chopra Recalled An Interesting Incident With Star Batter

Last Update on: June 2nd, 2023 at 02:57 pm

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Chennai Super Kings (CSK) gave a perfect farewell to the star batter Ambati Rayudu by winning a thriller against Gujarat Titans (GT). Ambati Rayudu played an invaluable cameo of 19 runs in 8 balls and struck 2 sixes and 1 four.

It was a collective effort from CSK’s batting unit as chasing 171 runs in 15 overs is never easy irrespective of the opponent. Astonishingly, it was Devon Conway, the left-handed batter who played the role of aggressor and dictated the terms and played a breezy knock of 47 runs in 25 balls and struck 4 fours and 2 sixes.

GT would be wondering what wrong went for the team. Not many would have thought that CSK will target the shrewd spinner Rashid Khan & experienced pacer Mohit Sharma which put CSK in a state of ascendancy.

Also Read: IPL Final: “We Were All Shutting Our Eyes” – Ambati Rayudu Reveals Closing Moments Of IPL 2023 Final

Let me share a little anecdote of my first meeting with Ambati Rayudu – Aakash Chopra

Aakash Chopra was seen speaking on his YouTube channel and recalled the 2003 incident when he played along with Ambati Rayudu during India A’s tour to West Indies. Aakash Chopra emphasized the fact that Rayudu was extremely talented.

“Let me share a little anecdote about my first meeting with Ambati Rayudu. It was in 2003, it was India A’s tour to the West Indies. A small kid named Rayudu was picked there. He would have probably been 16 years old at that time,” said Aakash Chopra.

“He was selected with the hope that he will be the next Sachin Tendulkar, that the boy is extremely talented. He is like the prodigy, that he could bat, fields extremely well and could bowl too,” he added.

Also Read: IPL 2023: “Ambati Rayudu Should Have Played The 2019 World Cup” – Anil Kumble

There were special directions for coach Ashok Malhotra to take care of Ambati Rayudu – Aakash Chopra

Aakash Chopra stated that there were high hopes for Ambati Rayudu and mentioned how he got special attention from coach Ashok Malhotra. Aakash Chopra said that the side didn’t have an off-spinner present as there were Murali Kartik and Amit Mishra present which forced Rayudu.

“Ashok Malhotra was our coach there and there were special directions to him from the selectors to take care of the kid because he is India’s future. VVS Laxman was the captain on the tour and he had seen the kid playing in Hyderabad. So he was impressed but when you are making the team you need to take all things into account,” said Aakash Chopra.

“Our team didn’t have a single off-spinner. It was an extremely interesting team selection. We had Murali Kartik as a left-arm spinner and Amit Mishra as a leg-spinner. In batting, we had Gautam Gambhir, Connor Williams, myself, VVS Laxman and Abhijit Kale. So Rayudu got a chance to play in such a team,” he stated.

Also Read: ICC World Test Championship Final: Mohammad Kaif Picks His India XI For WTC Final

Ambati Rayudu got to bat very low in the order- Aakash Chopra

Aakash Chopra revealed how Rayudu fared against West Indies and pointed out that the cricketer had a topsy-turvy outing with the ball in hand. Aakash Chopra said that Rayudu was taken to the cleaners by Caribbean batters.

“The poor guy got to bat very low in the order and he was asked to bowl off-spin in between, which the poor guy was unable to do. He was sometimes pitching the ball on his own legs or the batters’ legs, full tosses at other times, and wicket-taking balls in between,” said Aakash Chopra.

“I remember the short-leg and midwicket fielders used to be slightly scared whenever Ambati came to bowl because the West Indies guys used to hit very hard. So you were scared because you were in the firing line. I used to be at short leg, so I used to ask him not to bowl short,” he added.

Also Read: ICC World Test Championship Final: “Cheteshwar Pujara Has Started To Play Fast Now” – Mohammad Kaif