'I hope RCB don’t win IPL trophy' - Ambati Rayudu drops shocking statement
Published - 09 Mar 2025, 07:42 PM | Updated - 09 Mar 2025, 11:42 PM
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The former Indian batter Ambati Rayudu stunned the fans with his bold take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) title hopes ahead of IPL 2025. Ambati Rayudu finished his IPL career in 2023 with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) lifting the cup for the record fifth time.
However, Rayudu also spent eight seasons with Mumbai Indians (MI) and won multiple titles with them as well. As the upcoming IPL 2025 is set to get underway on March 22, the former Indian batter doesn’t reveal whom he wants to be crowned the champions, but it is definitely not the RCB.
Ambati Rayudu trolls RCB ahead of IPL 2025
Rayudu admitted that RCB's long wait for the IPL trophy could soon end but cheekily expressed his hope that it wouldn’t happen this season, as he may want Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to lift the trophy because the upcoming season is likely to be MS Dhoni’s last dance on the field.
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The RCB franchise is known for its passionate supporters and star-studded lineup, and they came close to glory several times but have never lifted the coveted IPL trophy. Now, the RCB will be led by the new captain Rajat Patidar; they would be hoping to change their fortune, but Rayudu said that he would pray they won’t win the trophy this year, leaving RCB fans frustrated at him.
Ambati Rayudu said on the Raw Talks podcast, “I feel it's a matter of time, they (RCB) will get the trophy. But definitely, I just hope and pray that year doesn't come (laughing).”
"It's only a matter of time before RCB wins a trophy, but I'm praying it doesn't happen this year"
— ` (@WorshipDhoni) March 9, 2025
- Rayudu uncle at it again 😭
pic.twitter.com/DLSUAPxNq9
Ambati Rayudu dismisses Robin Uthappa’s claims regarding Virat Kohli
Meanwhile, Rayudu also reacted to Robin Uthappa’s claims about Virat Kohli’s influence on his exclusion from the 2019 ODI World Cup squad. He dismissed the allegations and made it clear that Kohli was actually the one who supported him and helped him return to the Indian team.
Rayudu further said, “What Uthappa was trying to say is that Kohli has strong likes and dislikes. But in my case, Kohli was the one who backed me. He liked me. When I was there at his captaincy, we played many games for India."
It's not about preferences, but it's about logic: Ambati Rayudu on his ODI World Cup snub
He also noted that leadership decisions can sometimes be questioned, but squad selections are usually a collective call rather than a personal one, so he would not blame Kohli for his snub for the 2019 ODI World Cup. The former batter said that it is never easy to excel as a batter and become a world-beater, especially coming from Delhi, so he has seen everything.
Rayudu signed off by saying, “What Uthappa mentioned was that during his captaincy, he made mistakes. It's not about preferences, but it's about logic, which may have been, at that point in time, not the right thing to do."
