'Recover soon so I can watch you with my glasses' - Irfan Pathan passes a cheeky birthday wish to Ambati Rayudu

The much-awaited IPL 2020 finally commenced on 19th September as defending champions Mumbai Indians locked horns with Chennai Super Kings in the tournament opener. It was a clash between two heavyweights where the MS Dhoni-led side emerged victorious.

Hunting a total of 162 runs, Chennai paved their way to the win on the back of Ambati Rayudu’s stellar 71-run knock. Defying all odds, the right-hander proved why his exclusion from India’s 2019 World Cup squad was an irrational move by the selection committee.

Ambati Rayudu wasn’t a part of CSK squad which lost against RR

Stitching a match-winning partnership with Faf du Plessis, Rayudu guided CSK to the victory and also bagged Man of the Match award. The Hyderabad batsman would’ve hoped to continue his form but he wasn’t deemed fit in CSK’s game against RR where they suffered a 16-run defeat.

Meanwhile, a day after CSK’s drubbing against the Royals, wishes poured in for Rayudu who celebrated his 35th birthday on Wednesday (23 September). While some fans lauded his match-winning knock against MI, some wished him a speedy recovery.

Along with fans, many prominent faces of the cricket fraternity also extended birthday wishes to Rayudu. One of them was former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan. However, along with passing birthday wishes, Irfan didn’t hold back from passing a cheeky comment. “Wishing a very happy birthday to @RayuduAmbati bro recover soon so I can watch you play from the com box with my glasses,” tweeted Irfan.

Irfan, who is commentating during the on-going IPL 2020, referred to the much-debated ‘Ambati Rayudu-Vijay Shankar’ episode of 2019 World Cup. Shankar, on the back of his ‘3D capabilities’, was preferred over Rayudu by MSK Prasad.

After Shankar’s woeful display in the opening fixture of Sunrisers Hyderabad against Royal Challengers Bangalore, many fans had trolled him for not being a ‘3D player’, contrary to MSK Prasad’s belief.

Rayudu, previously a part of Mumbai Indians, had shifted his base to CSK in 2018. In the past two years with the Chennai franchise, he has been delivering impressive performances with his willow. Since joining the Yellow Army, the middle-order batsman has scored five half-centuries and a ton.

After recovering from his injury, Rayudu is expected to play a key role in CSK’s title heist this season. One of the most consistent franchises in IPL history, CSK will be vying their fourth title this year.