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When Ambati Rayudu 'Confessed' On Taking A Bat From Virat Kohli Every Year

Ambati Rayudu and Virat Kohli in Team India colors (x.com)Ambati Rayudu and Virat Kohli in Team India colors (x.com)

Former Indian cricketer Ambati Rayudu has repeatedly expressed his admiration for modern-day batting great Virat Kohli. The admiration seems to go both ways, as evidenced from their camaraderie both on and off the field.

Back in April 2023, Kohli even described Rayudu as the most underrated batter in the history of the IPL by citing his decorated record for Mumbai Indians and the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) franchises.

Celebrating their friendship, here at OneCricket, we take a look back at the time when Ambati Rayudu shared one of his hilarious superstition routines involving the RCB legend.

When Ambati Rayudu revealed his superstition

During a candid chat with ex-CSK teammate Harbhajan Singh, Ambati Rayudu was once asked to reveal if he had any superstition routine for playing cricket. Rayudu hilariously responded that while he does have a routine for himself, it involves him taking a bat from Virat Kohli once every year.

The former Indian cricketer laughingly added that Kohli even abused him while giving his bat the last time around.

“Every year I take a bat from Virat Kohli. Now even he knows that it’s a must-do for me. This year he abused me while giving the bat.”

Rayudu played 55 ODI matches and six T20Is during his international playing days for Team India between 2013 and 2019. Apart from being part of India’s victorious 2018 Asia Cup team in UAE, Rayudu is also one of the most decorated players in the history of the IPL, lifting the coveted trophy a record six times.

The Andhra Pradesh-based batter announced his IPL retirement after the 2023 edition of the tournament. He recently provided commentary duties for the Star Sports network in IPL 2024.