[Watch] Ambati Rayudu shares his emotions on capturing IPL 2023 title in memorable farewell with CSK

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) senior batter Ambati Rayudu shared some heartfelt thoughts to bid farewell to the IPL after his team's last-ball win over the Gujarat Titans (GT) in the grand finale in Ahmedabad on Monday.

Rayudu had earlier announced his retirement from the IPL at the end of the 2023 season. The right-handed batter has played in the league for 14 years, starting in 2010. He has represented the two most successful franchises, Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings.

After being part of a sixth IPL win, Ambati Rayudu expressed his emotions with teammate Devon Conway. Here is a video of the exchange, which was shared by the IPL official social media handle:

Ambati Rayudu played a vital role in the final, scoring a quickfire19 off eight deliveries at a crucial juncture in the run chase. He also played a crucial part in CSK's last three titles, particularly in 2018, when he was their leading run-scorer with 602 runs in 16 games.

Rayudu was also part of MI's title runs in 2013, 2015, and 2017. He is one of only two players to have been part of six title-winning teams, along with MI skipper Rohit Sharma.

---

"It's a fairytale finish and I couldn't have asked for more" - Ambati Rayudu after CSK beat GT in IPL 2023 final

Ambati Rayudu also expressed gratitude for the fairytale ending to his illustrious IPL career.

Chasing a stiff 171-run taget in 15 overs for victory, the CSK batters, including Rayudu, put on a clinical display before getting home off the last ball of the game.

In an interaction with the broadcasters after the game, Ambati Rayudu said:

"It's a fairytale finish and I couldn't have asked for more. It's unbelievable, really fortunate to have played in some great sides. This win is something I will remember for the rest of my life, for all the hardwork in the last 30 years, happy that it finished on this note."

"I would like to take this moment to thank my family and thank my father, without him I wouldn't have been here today," he added.

Widely considered one of the most versatile and unselfish cricketers in the league, Rayudu ended his IPL career with 4,348 runs at an average of 28.23 and a strike rate of 127.54. Despite a sub-par final season with the bat, the 37-year-old played a few useful cameos in the lower middle-order which helped CSK in trying circumstances.

Rayudu also retired from International cricket in July 2019, having played 55 ODIs and six T20Is for Team India with an impressive ODI average of 47.06.