NEW DELHI: Having represented both the champion sides Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians during his Indian Premier League career, middle-order batter Ambati Rayudu on Monday compared the work culture at both franchises, saying winning is non-negotiable for the Mumbai-based side.
Both Chennai and Mumbai have five IPL titles each -- joint highest in the league -- and Rayudu has been part of both the title winning sides.
The 38-year-old represented MI between 2010-17 and then played for CSK from 2018 till 2023.
Rayudu said that the pressure of playing at MI is immense as they are a result oriented side while CSK have their focus on the process and win or loss doesn't affect them much.
"CSK focusses more on process. They do not analyze the results much. Their (CSK camp) mood and mood swings are not because of the results (laughs). MI is a bit different. MI mostly want to win and their culture is like, everything depends on winning. They have a culture of, win is a must at all cost (jeetna hi hai). Winning is non-negotiable," Rayudu said on Star Sports.
"Both (CSK and MI) are two different cultures but at the end of the day, both work hard. I feel, CSK has a much better environment. You can play for longer years there. But If you play for more time at MI, your brain will explode (MI me zyada khelenge to brain fatt jayega)," the 38-year-old said.
However, Rayudu was quick to admit that players improve and become better versions of themselves when playing for Mumbai. But in Chennai, players are made better under the guidance of the greats of the game.
"When I used to play for MI (in formative years), my game improved a lot when I was in the franchise. If you have not won the match, they do not see an excuse. You also do not get a platform to give an excuse. At the end of the day, you have to perform. MI has an environment where you keep getting better and CSK has an environment where you are made better and that too steadily (aapko better bana diya jata hai, wo bhi araam se)," Rayudu added.
In the ongoing season of the league, CSK and MI currently sit at fourth and seventh spot respectively.
Both the sides also have new captains this season -- Ruturaj Gaikwad (CSK) and
Hardik Pandya
(MI) in place of stalwarts MS Dhoni and
Rohit Sharma
respectively.
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