AMBATI RAYUDU IS NOT RETIRING: CSK CEO CONFIRMS AFTER BATTERS ‘DELETED TWEET’ CREATES FRENZY

(The Quiver): Chennai Super Kings (CSK) stalwart Ambati Rayudu left cricket fans scratching their heads on Saturday (May 14) as he took to Twitter to announce his retirement from the IPL before deleting the tweet. Rayudu, who was bought back by CSK at the IPL 2022 mega auction earlier this year, said the ongoing season will be his last for the Men in Yellow.

Rayudu took to Twitter to thank CSK and his former team Mumbai Indians for their support throughout his IPL career. The veteran batter played for only two teams throughout his IPL career and won as many as five titles combined with both franchises.

“I am happy to announce that this will be my last ipl. I have had a wonderful time playing it and being a part of 2 great teams for 13 years. Would love to sincerely thank Mumbai Indians and Csk for the wonderful journey,” Rayudu announced in the now-deleted tweet.

Rayudu’s announcement came as a shock to many as CSK are yet to complete their campaign in IPL 2022. Soon after Rayudu deleted his tweet, CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan confirmed that the star batter is not retiring this year and will continue to remain with the franchise. Rayudu has been one of the best batters for CSK ever since joining the four-time champions in 2018.

CSK CEO Viswanathan said the tweet was put out by Rayudu due to physcological pressure as he hasn’t done well this season.

“Ambati Rayudu is not retiring. He might not be happy with his performances and put it out. Just a psychological thing. He’ll be with CSK,” the CSK CEO was quoted as saying by News9.