Twitter reacts as Ambati Rayudu takes a U-turn after announcing IPL retirement

Chennai Super Kings middle-order batsman Ambati Rayudu took everyone by surprise on Saturday afternoon when he took to his Twitter account to announce his retirement from IPL cricket.

In his tweet, Rayudu wrote that the ongoing season will be his last and that he has had a wonderful time representing the two most successful franchises in the league's history- Mumbai Indians and the Chennai Super Kings.

He wrote:

"I am happy to announce that this will be my last IPL. I have had a wonderful time playing it and being a part of 2 great teams for 13 years. Would love to sincerely thank Mumbai Indians and CSK for the wonderful journey, " 

However, the enigmatic cricketer proceeded to take a U-turn an hour later as he deleted his tweet.

Later, CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan confirmed to NDTV that Rayudu would continue to represent the Super Kings in the near future.

"He was a bit disappointed that he was not doing well. So, he mistakenly put out that tweet. I have explained things to him. He is not retiring. He will be with us."

This is not the first time that Rayudu has backtracked from his decision to retire.

Back in 2019, a disappointed Rayudu called time on his career after being dropped from the World Cup squad.

He later took a U-turn and came back to play in domestic and in the IPL.

Rayudu has been one of the consistent underrated performers in the cash-rich league. The stylish Andhra cricketer was one of the bedrocks of the Mumbai Indians batting for a better part of the last decade.

The Super Kings picked him in 2018, and the right-hander went on to play a stellar role in the sides' title-winning triumphs in 2018 and 2021.

Rayudu was bought for Rs 6.2 Crores in the recent mega-auction, but the ongoing season hasn't gone as per plans. In 12 games, the middle-order batsman has managed just 271 runs at an average of 27.10 and a strike rate of 124.31.

Overall, Rayudu has scored 4187 runs in 174 IPL innings at an average of 29.08 and a strike rate of 127.26 with the help of 27 50s and one hundred.

As expected, Rayudu's tweet and the subsequent U-turn sent social media into a frenzy and a state of confusion.

Here are some of the reactions: