Why Ambati Rayudu borrows bats from Virat Kohli, even if it comes with 'gaalis'

Mumbai: Ambati Rayudu was an integral part of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) as they completed a fairytale comeback in the Indian Premier League (IPL) to be crowned champions for the third time.

After spending eight years with the Mumbai Indians (MI), he was snapped up by the Southern franchise for a decent sum of Rs 2.20 crores and from there; he emerged as one of the surprising packages.

Just like every cricketer has their own superstition, the 32-year-old also opened up what he does to ensure good luck. Speaking to CSK teammate Harbhajan Singh in his YouTube talk show Quick Heal Bhajji Blast, the Hyderabad batsman revealed about borrowing a bat from Virat Kohli every year.

“Har saal ek bat leta hu Virat (Kohli) se, usko bhi maloom ho gaya ki tashan hai. Is saal to gaali deke diya hai (I take a bat from Virat every year. Even he now knows how I want to show it off. This time, in fact, he swore before giving me a bat,” he said.

The Team India skipper’s bat earned Rayudu so much luck, that he even earned a call-up to the national squad for the upcoming ODI tour of England. Rayudu’s majestic performances for the Yellow Army saw him finish as the highest run-getter for the side and the fourth highest overall.

Not only that, Rayudu also finished the tournament with the third-highest sixes, his personal best record so far.