India has won the title of World Championship of Legends. India Champions did this feat by defeating Pakistan Champions by 5 wickets in the final match of WCL 2024 played in Birmingham. Although the credit for the victory in the final goes to the entire team. But, the one player whose game proved to be a bit too much for the Pakistanis and due to which he also got the Player of the Match award is Ambati Rayudu. 38-year-old Ambati Rayudu may not have performed well in the entire tournament, but he proved his usefulness in the final and played a brilliant innings that pushed Pakistan to the brink of defeat.

Ambati Rayudu's amazing innings against Pakistan

Ambati Rayudu scored a strong half-century in the final match of WCL 2024 against Pakistan Champions. Chasing the target of 157 runs given by Pakistan, he started the Indian innings with Robin Uthappa. Uthappa was dismissed after scoring just 10 runs. But Rayudu stood at the other end and took good care of the Pakistani bowlers. He scored 50 runs in just 30 balls. This innings, played at a strike rate of more than 166, included 3 fours and 2 sixes.

Gave his best in the final, strike rate above 150

The half-century that came off Ambati Rayudu's bat in the final was his first in WCL 2024. With this half-century, his run tally which was far away from the reach of 100 runs in the last 4 matches, has now reached 131 runs after 5 matches. During this, he hit 15 fours and 4 sixes, while his strike rate was 150.57.

Left politics for MI

Ambati Rayudu, who laid the foundation for India's victory over Pakistan in the final of WCL 2024, retired from IPL last year. After saying goodbye to all formats of Indian cricket, Rayudu joined Indian politics. He joined Andhra Pradesh's party YSRCP. But, then left politics in just 9 days. Mumbai Indians became the reason for Ambati Rayudu's decision to leave politics in just 9 days.

A day after resigning from YSRCP, Ambati Rayudu said that he wants to play for Mumbai Indians in ILT20. He said that as per the rules of the tournament, he cannot be a part of any political party until he plays it. This is the reason why he has decided to stay away from politics until he plays the tournament.

Why did Dhoni call Rayudu like himself?

There is another special thing related to Ambati Rayudu and that is that Dhoni sees himself in him. Dhoni had told in an interview that Rayudu is just like him. Just like he does not use the phone, Rayudu also does not use it. Not only this, Dhoni also told that Rayudu gives his 100 percent in every match. Dhoni's same trust in Rayudu was seen wearing the garb of reality in the final of WCL 2024 against Pakistan and India Champions benefited from it.