"I think he is the one who is the backbone of the team," Rayudu said of the right-hander, who played just 14 matches this season after being laid low by a hand injury.
The 40-year-old Tendulkar announced his retirement last night after Mumbai beat Chennai Super Kings by 23 runs at the Eden Gardens to capture their maiden IPL trophy.
Rayudu said the triumph was a result of four seasons of hard work.
"I think the unbeaten run at home set the tone for the Playoffs," he added.
The MI batsman was also left amazed by the enthusiastic crowd that turned up at the Eden.
"It is unbelievable how a packed Eden Gardens witnessed us. It is a dream. There is nothing better than this," he said.
You’ve reached your limit of {{free_limit}} free articles this month.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
Already subscribed? Log in
Subscribe to read the full story →
Smart Quarterly
₹900
3 Months
₹300/Month
Smart Essential
₹2,700
1 Year
₹225/Month
Super Saver
₹3,900
2 Years
₹162/Month
Renews automatically, cancel anytime
Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans
Exclusive premium stories online
Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors


Complimentary Access to The New York Times
News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic
Business Standard Epaper
Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share


Curated Newsletters
Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox
Market Analysis & Investment Insights
In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor


Archives
Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997
Ad-free Reading
Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements


Seamless Access Across All Devices
Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app
