IPL 2021: Ambati Rayudu has been the player of the franchise since he joined CSK – Gautam Gambhir

Former Indian opener Gautam Gambhir feels Ambati Rayudu has been Chennai Super Kings’ best player since he has joined the franchise from Mumbai Indians.

Rayudu has been a consistent performer for CSK and he has delivered the goods for the team while batting at different positions.

Rayudu has been in good form in the ongoing season for CSK as he has scored 252 runs in 11 innings at an impressive average of 36 and a blistering strike rate of 155.55. The right-hander was the team’s lone warrior with the bat against Delhi Capitals at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Monday.

Rayudu scored a fine knock of 55 runs off 43 balls with the help of five fours and two sixes and helped his team reach a fighting score of 136 runs as MS Dhoni struggled to get going at the other end. In fact, Rayudu also could not get going in the early stage of his innings but he was able to change gears in the fag end of the innings.

Gautam Gambhir said while talking to Star Sports, “I believe Ambati Rayudu has been the player of the franchise since he joined CSK. He scored runs when he opened or played at No.3 or No.4, he has delivered in whichever position he has played. It is very difficult when your batting order is being shuffled but despite that the way he bats.”

“He had an impact when he used to open with Watson, today he is playing at No.4 and he has a similar impact. We might talk about Ravindra Jadeja, Suresh Raina and the others, but he has probably been the player of the franchise in the last three-four years.”

On the other hand, former Indian fast bowler Ajit Agarkar added that Ambati Rayudu’s form is going to be extremely crucial for CSK as Raina and Dhoni have looked out of sorts.

“His form is extremely necessary because there is a lot of dependency on Faf du Plessis and Gaikwad at the moment. When they don’t score runs, they don’t post a big total. So this innings will certainly help.”

“He also struggled in the beginning but the acceleration he gave helped them get a good finish. Jadeja is definitely scoring runs but he comes down the order. The players who come at No.3, 4 and 5, their role becomes huge when your openers get out, so the middle order being in form at the business end of the tournament is necessary.”

CSK will play their last league match against Punjab Kings at the same venue on Thursday.