Ex-MI Star Breaks Silence After "Brain Will Explode If You Play There" Comment Goes Viral
Mumbai Indians (MI) is one of the most successful franchises in IPL, having won a joint record five titles.
Former India batter Ambati Rayudu had recently opened up on difference in culture between Mumbai Indians (MI) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Rayudu, a six-time IPL winner, started his career with MI, winning three titles in 2013, 2015 and 2017. He then jumped the ship and joined CSK, ending his IPL career on a high with three more titles, including one last year before announcing his retirement. Sharing his views on the contrasting environments at the two franchises, Rayudu had said that playing for MI is a bit more challenging that doing the same for CSK.
"If we have to talk about culture, CSK focuses more on the process. They do not analyse the results much. Their mood and mood swings are not because of the results. MI is a bit different. MI mostly wants to win, and their culture is like everything depends on winning. They have a culture of jeetna hi hai (win is a must). Winning is non-negotiable," Rayudu had told ESPNcricinfo.
Rayudu suggested while CSK has a much better environment for a player's development, playing for MI can make "your brain explode".
"Both CSK and MI have two different cultures, but at the end of the day, both work hard. I feel CSK has a much better environment. You can play there longer. If you play in MI for a long time, toh brain fatt jayega (Your brain will explode)," he added.
However, Rayudu has now put out a clarification post on X, saying that his comments about MI "were taken out of context".
"My comments were taken out of context about Mumbai Indians. All I meant was mi's processes are different and there is positive pressure in which a player is forged ,excels and becomes into a complete player, track record shows the kind of talent that Mi has produced for india. I have loved my 8 years being at mi..am ever grateful," Rayudu posted on X.
My comments were taken out of context about Mumbai Indians. All I meant was mi's processes are different and there is positive pressure in which a player is forged ,excels and becomes into a complete player, track record shows the kind of talent that Mi has produced for india. I...
— ATR (@RayuduAmbati) April 24, 2024
With MI struggling this season under new captain Hardik Pandya, Rayudu also urged the franchise to win some games.
"MI please win some games fast," he added in the post.
Mumbai Indians
Chennai Super Kings
Ambati Rayudu