IPL 2023 Final: Ambati Rayudu can 'smile rest of my life' after stellar swansong to win CSK 5th title

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It has been a fantastic and emotional season for Chennai Super Kings who lifted the 5th IPL title in their history.

A pulsating IPL 2023 Final ended up in a fitting fashion as CSK beat Gujarat Titans in the final ball of the final. It was Ravindra Jadeja who scored 10 runs off the last two balls to win it for CSK, but there was another crucial inning which turned the game in CSK's favour.

Ambati Rayudu has been a part of the CSK squad for the last few years. The 37-year-old has been a fantastic performer over the years for them and announced his retirement from IPL before the final. And the ever-smiling batter played a fantastic knock in his last match.

A stellar swansong for Ambati Rayudu

Rayudu scored 19 runs off 8 balls and turned the game in their favour. He hit 6,4,6 in three balls of Mohit Sharma to pull down the required run rate big time. Although the former India player was dismissed soon, but his cameo proved to be crucial for CSK in the end.

And after the match, Rayudu was seemingly ecstatic and says his career has found its fairy-tale finish.

"It's a fairytale finish. I couldn't have asked for more. I'm fortunate to have played in really great sides," Rayudu said in a post-match chat.

"I can smile for the rest of my life. All the hard work I've done in the last 30 years, I'm happy I got to finish on this note. I would really like to thank my family, my father. Without them this wouldn't have been possible," he added.

Ambati Rayudu IPL Stats

Teams: Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings