“Sachin Tendulkar is the backbone of the Mumbai Indians”, says Ambati Rayudu, who was the unsung hero in the victory of Mumbai Indians against the Chennai Super Kings in the finals of IPL-2013. He credited this win to the whole team who worked hard throughout the season and made the dream come true of every Mumbai Indians fan.
Rayudu scored 37 runs off 36 balls that he faced and also played a crucial role in stabilising the innings of Mumbai Indians. He was quoted by Times of India saying, "Sachin is the backbone of our side and there is hardly any doubt about it. He won’t be there with us in the next season is hard to imagine. I feel blessed to play with the cricketer who has done so much for the Indian cricket.”
Tendulkar announced his retirement on Sunday night after Mumbai beat Chennai Super Kings by 23 runs at the Eden Gardens to capture their maiden IPL trophy. He played just 14 matches this season after being laid low by a hand injury.
Rayudu was quoted by DNA saying, "Winning the IPL is an extraordinary feeling in itself. It was four years of hard-work which finally paid some rich dividends. Words are not enough to express the feeling of clinching the IPL trophy. We had a sensational record of winning the matches at home which gave us an edge over others team in the competition.”
“It is unbelievable how a packed Eden Gardens witnessed us. It is a dream. There is nothing better than this," he concluded.