WATCH: Suresh Raina and Ambati Rayudu play delightful shots in CSK practice session
The Chennai Super Kings, having failed to qualify for the playoffs for the first time in their IPL history in 2020, are back again at their best. They won five out of their seven games and sitting right under the neck of the Delhi Capitals, who currently are on top of the table. Reassuring the confidence in fans, CSK social media handle released a video of Suresh Raina and Ambati Rayudu play some delightful shots in the practice games in UAE.
Suresh Raina, who wasn’t a part of the CSK side in 2020, failed to amass big runs, scoring just 123 runs in 7 knocks, which includes a fifty against Delhi Capitals. Ambati Rayudu was in a similar line of form, scoring 136 runs in 7 knocks, including a whirlwind 72 off 27 balls against Mumbai Indians. Both batters have been striking the ball decently and it is a matter of time before they chip in with match-winning knocks.
In the practice games played internally, Ambati Rayudu was spotted playing some brilliant wristy shots towards the onside, including a couple of hook shots. Suresh Raina was back with that trademark inside out, lofted shots. The southpaw looked incredibly comfortable and is waiting eagerly for the season to start, if the video was any indication.
Also Read: IPL 2021: The lowdown on all the replacement players of the 8 teams ahead of the UAE leg
The Chennai Super Kings will kick-start their campaign against Mumbai Indians in the opening game of the second leg. Here’s the video release by CSK, where Rayudu and Raina produce some delightful shots.
Shots
3⃣ & 9⃣ lighting the ground up after sundown!#WhistlePodu #Yellove
@ImRaina @RayuduAmbati pic.twitter.com/LFit5jqeID
— Chennai Super Kings – Mask P
du Whistle P
du! (@ChennaiIPL) September 13, 2021
Ambati Rayudu closing in on 4,000 IPL runs
Ambati Rayudu has been a terrific player in the IPL for the Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings and is inching in on a revered landmark. He is 205 runs short of 4,000 runs in the IPL and if he can manage a couple of half-centuries in the remaining 7 games, he could close in on that number before the end of this season.
For the Chennai Super Kings, Rayudu has registered 1,379 runs at an average of 32.83, including a sensational 602-run haul in their title-winning campaign in 2018. Despite not hitting the expected mark this time around, Chennai fans will be expecting the Andhra cricketer to play some big knocks.