'With him in the team, I will never win the Fairplay Award' - MS Dhoni takes hilarious dig at Ambati Rayudu after winning IPL 2023 title

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni took a hilarious dig at batter Ambati Rayudu after their 2023 Indian Premier League (IPL) triumph. CSK overcame Gujarat Titans (GT) by five wickets in the rain-curtailed final at midnight of May 30, at the Narendra Modi Stadium, in Ahmedabad. Notably, Rayudu was instrumental for CSK in the summit clash, playing a crucial eight-ball 19-run innings, including a boundary and two maximums.

Dhoni hailed Rayudu by saying that he always gave his 100 percent for the team while on the field. The CSK skipper also humorously claimed that with Rayudu on his team, he won't be able to win the Fairplay Award. Notably, Rayudu helped to claw back into the game with his vital cameo against GT just when the run rate to achieve the target was slightly slipping away for the visitors.

"The special thing about Rayudu is he will always give his 100% when he is on his field. But with him in the team, I will never win the Fairplay Award," Dhoni was quoted as saying by News 18.

Rayudu always wants to contribute, He has been a fantastic cricketer: Dhoni

Skipper MS Dhoni then paid rich tributes to Ambati Rayudu who announced his retirement from the cash-rich league after winning the IPL 2023 title. The Andhra Pradesh-born cricketer, according to the wicketkeeper-batter, remained an unsung hero for a brief span in Indian cricket by pointing out a special skill of Rayudu. As per the legendary skipper, the 37-year-old is a player who can play pace and spin equally well, which is a rare skill to find.

"He (Rayudu) always wants to contribute and he has been a fantastic cricketer. I’ve been playing with him for a long time, since the India A tours. He’s a player who can play spin and pace equally well. It is something really special. I felt he would do something really special, I’m really happy for him," the CSK skipper added.

Dhoni later wished the 37-year-old batter well for the next phase of his life.

"He’s also like me - not someone who uses the phone often. What’s important is that he has had a fantastic career and I hope he enjoys the next phase of his life," he further said.