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Ambati Rayudu, one of the greatest performers in the Indian Premier League (IPL), has created a buzz by revealing his all-time XI with the best players from Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Mumbai Indians (MI).
Rayudu is famous for his adaptability and role he played for both teams, and his picks are an indication of the heritage of two of the greatest franchises in IPL history.
Ambati Rayudu’s CSK-MI all-time XI
Opening pair
Rayudu’s all-time XI starts with two Mumbai Indians’ stalwarts: Sachin Tendulkar and Rohit Sharma. Tendulkar, considered one of the greatest cricketers of all time, was a fixture for MI in his IPL career, with 2,334 runs in 78 games. Rohit Sharma, MI’s captain since 2013, has led the team to five IPL titles and is one of the league’s most successful batsmen with over 5,000 runs. Their inclusion as openers highlights their unmatched contributions to MI’s dominance in the IPL.
Middle-order
Ranking third, Rayudu selected Suresh Raina, fondly referred to as “Mr. IPL” for his reliable performances for CSK. Raina has been the backbone of CSK’s success throughout the years. Suryakumar Yadav is next, whose recent performance for MI and India has taken him to the top league of batters.
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No CSK-MI XI would be complete without MS Dhoni, arguably the greatest captain in IPL history. Dhoni’s leadership and finishing abilities have been instrumental in CSK’s four IPL titles. His inclusion as wicketkeeper-batsman was a foregone conclusion given his stature in Indian cricket and his impact on CSK’s legacy.
All-rounders
The middle order is supported by two all-time greats of all-rounders in Kieron Pollard and Dwayne Bravo. Pollard’s destructive batting and pressure delivery skills have earned him the hearts of fans at MI, whereas Bravo’s master class bowling and finishing ability have been CSK’s key strengths season after season.
Rayudu also added Ravindra Jadeja, arguably the greatest all-rounder of contemporary cricket. Jadeja is a must-have in any side due to his contribution with bat, ball, and field. His performances in CSK have single-handedly turned games many times.
Bowlers
For the bowling attack, Rayudu picked two MI legends in the form of Lasith Malinga and Jasprit Bumrah. Malinga’s distinct sling-arm action and wicket-taking prowess have made him a top performer in IPL history. Bumrah’s expertise with death overs has earned him fame all over the world and transformed him into an integral part of MI’s bowling unit.
Rayudu completed his bowling line-up with Harbhajan Singh, a key player for both MI and CSK throughout his IPL stint. Harbhajan’s leg spin has helped both teams clinch many exciting wins. One notable omission is Ravichandran Ashwin, CSK’s third-leading wicket-taker—a move that has incited controversy among fans.
Rayudu names himself as impact player
In an unexpected turn, Rayudu declared himself the impact player for this all-time XI. With his crucial roles in many championship-winning seasons with both CSK and MI, Rayudu was confident that in playing a big part when the situation demands.
