New Delhi: Tributes started flowing in when 36-year-old Chennai Super Kings (CSK) veteran Ambati Rayudu announced his retirement from the Indian Premier League (IPL) via Twitter, asserting that the 2022 season will be his IPL career's last season as a player. However, he deleted the Tweet later which created a frenzy on Twitter. Rayudu's casual treatment of a serious topic like retirement left many fans baffled.
"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," wrote Rayudu in a now-deleted tweet.
Ambati Rayudu is yet to break his silence over the controversy. Meanwhile, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) head coach Stephen Fleming called the entire episode a non-story. "It was not disappointing, it was probably a little bit of a storm in a teacup, to be honest. But, I think he was fine. It has not changed anything in the camp but it is a non-story," said Fleming in a post-match press conference.
Ambati Rayudu, the joint second-most decorated player in Indian Premier League history, has won the IPL trophy five times (3 with Mumbai Indians and 2 with Chennai Super Kings). The veteran batter was replaced by N Jagadeesan in CSK's playing XI for the match against Gujarat Titans.
Reacting to the matter, CSK's CEO Kasi Viswanathan had said: "No no he's not retiring. Maybe he wasn't happy with his performances and might have put it out. Just a psychological thing, I reckon. He'll be with us," Viswanathan told NDTV.