"We all always wanted to win" - Ambati Rayudu opens up on 'MI Attitude'

Former India batsman Ambati Rayudu has explained what has made Mumbai Indians such a successful side. He began his journey in the IPL with Mumbai Indians in 2010 and remained a key part of the team for almost a decade before parting ways after IPL 2017.

In his very first season with the franchise in 2010, he scored an impressive 356 runs and scored more than 300 runs in four of the next six seasons. He is still Mumbai Indians’ fourth-highest run-scorer in the IPL. The right-handed batsman scored 2635 runs in 136 games with the help of 14 centuries.

More than the runs, it was the impact he made in the middle order that made him such a crucial member of the team. Ambati Rayudu saw Mumbai Indians’ journey from underachievers to powerhouse from very close quarters and has revealed the reason behind the team’s success.

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Ambati Rayudu on Mumbai Indians’ success:

Mumbai Indians did not win the IPL in the first five seasons before winning it thrice from 2013 to 2017. Speaking to Mumbai Indians, the former IPL star opened up on the team culture when he was a part of the franchise. The veteran batsman, who is currently playing for MI Emirates in ILT20, said that every player carried a winning mentality and was ready to give his all on the field.

“The MI philosophy was built into the team, in terms of the winning mentality that everyone carries. We all always wanted to win and contribute at some level. If not with the bat, on the field, with one catch, one run-out, that sort of an attitude was there in everyone,” said Ambati Rayudu.

“We used to call it the ‘MI Attitude’, where everybody was giving it their all. Eventually you dream and you live for a moment like this, hitting a last ball six. This is something I would take to my dying bed,” he added recalling his famous last-ball six against Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2011.

After parting ways with Mumbai Indians, Ambati Rayudu joined Chennai Super Kings and enjoyed another successful IPL stint. He won three IPL titles in six seasons with the franchise before retiring from IPL in 2023.