Former CSK player Ambati Rayudu has revealed that most of the CSK players were struggling in the IPL 2018 season when they won the title. He also revealed that MS Dhoni has not been fully fit for the last 3-4 years.
Ambati Rayudu joined Chennai Super Kings in the 2018 season to win his first IPL title with the franchise. Chennai Super Kings returned to IPL 2018 after missing the season for two years due to a ban.
Under MS Dhoni, the men in yellow bounced back with a spectacular show and won the trophy by defeating Sunrisers Hyderabad in the final. CSK had many senior players in their team like Dwayne Bravo, Harbhajan Singh, Imran Tahir, Shane Watson and MS Dhoni.
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MS Dhoni has not been fully fit for last 3-4 years: Ambati Rayudu
While speaking on Star Sports, former CSK member Ambati Rayudu said that many CSK players were struggling in the 2018 season when he joined the team. He also revealed that MS Dhoni has been facing fitness issues for the last 3-4 years.
“I think with CSK, since I joined in 2018, I don’t think half the team was fit. Most of us were struggling. With Mahi Bhai, I don’t think I was fully fit for the last 3-4 years, but when the time comes, the crucial games come, he has always shown his face,” said the right-handed hitter.
“In every game we used to think that if the par score was 180, we would give 200 because of our fielding. Mahi bhai always used to tell Shane Watson, ‘You are not moving. If the ball comes straight at you, you catch it.’ you submerge,” Ruyudu revealed.
Notably, Ambati Rayudu played an important role in leading CSK to the title in IPL 2018. He collected more than 600 runs in the season. Later, he also got opportunities in the Indian team. Rayudu also won IPL titles with CSK in 2021 and 2023.
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Ruturaj Gaikwad, good prospect for future captain: Rayudu
Recently, Ambati Rayudu praised CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad for his captaincy. He also believes that he could lead the Indian team in the future.
“He even won gold at the Asian Games as captain. He has a long way to go and I am sure the day will come when we will all talk about him as the leader of India,” he added.
Ruturaj Gaikwad was handed the captaincy of CSK by MS Dhoni ahead of IPL 2024. CSK is trying its best to make it to the playoffs, however, the tournament is seeing a close race for the playoffs. CSK will play their last match of the tournament against Royal Challengers Bangalore.