Former CSK star Ambati Rayudu says Dhoni obsession is overshadowing team unity; urges franchise and Thala himself to steer fans toward the team, not just the icon.
March 28, 2025: Chennai:
MS Dhoni may be the heart and soul of Chennai Super Kings, but former CSK batter Ambati Rayudu believes the unwavering fan devotion toward ‘Thala’ is quietly affecting the franchise dynamics. Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, Rayudu shared that the fixation with Dhoni, while understandable, often overshadows the efforts of other players in the squad.
“CSK fans are MS Dhoni fans first, franchise fans second,” Rayudu said, pointing out that this imbalance can be “daunting” for newcomers in the side.
Rayudu’s comments come days after Rachin Ravindra hit the winning six in CSK’s match against Mumbai Indians. Despite sealing the victory, the Kiwi cricketer faced backlash from a section of fans who were disappointed that Dhoni didn’t get to finish the match himself.
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“Sometimes when you’re going out to bat, the crowd is literally asking you to get out, hoping to see MS come in. That doesn’t serve the spirit of the game or the team well,” Rayudu remarked.
Though he reiterated that the love for Dhoni is justified, Rayudu stressed that players work tirelessly behind the scenes and deserve equal fanfare. He added that many within the squad have felt similarly, though they haven’t spoken up publicly.
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Call for Dhoni to Intervene
Rayudu also suggested that MS Dhoni himself is best positioned to shift fan perception and support toward the entire squad.
“If MS comes out and says, ‘support all players like you support me,’ that would make a huge difference. It would help the younger players grow under less pressure.”
A Caution for CSK’s Future
Rayudu further warned that CSK’s brand identity is too tightly built around Dhoni. He emphasized the need for the franchise to start grooming other faces of the team.
“There’s no cricketer close to Dhoni in terms of crowd pull, but CSK needs to future-proof itself. The franchise must start building icons for a post-Dhoni era.”
As CSK prepares to face RCB in Match 8 of IPL 2025, the broader debate over fan culture and franchise identity continues to gain traction—one that might require Dhoni’s own voice to settle.
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