Chennai Super Kings (CSK), one of the Indian Premier League's (IPL) most successful teams, owe much of their fame to MS Dhoni, the former captain who secured five titles. However, ex-CSK player Ambati Rayudu has raised concerns about the team’s fanbase.
In a conversation with ESPNcricinfo, he suggested that the intense focus on Dhoni could be affecting the squad in ways players do not openly discuss. He shared his thoughts on the intense fan culture surrounding CSK, particularly the spotlight on MS Dhoni.
"It is quite strange, and I don't think it actually serves the game well. It is quite daunting if you're a newcomer. It's quite loud. The support is phenomenal. But, as you go on and play, then you realise they are MS Dhoni fans before they are CSK fans. It is quite evident, and rightly so, because that's the way the team has been set up and built over the years," Rayudu said as quoted to ESPNCricinfo.
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"He's rightly named Thala and he has been calling the shots in CSK, and it's come to a stage where people are madly in awe and in love of what he's done for CSK," he added.
Rayudu highlighted a peculiar trend among CSK supporters. He noted that some fans seem to prioritise seeing Dhoni bat and cheer for the dismissal of other players. The same was seen on Sunday when Dhoni walked in at No. 4 to a raucous response from the Chepauk crowd as Ravindra Jadeja departed via a run-out.
"It's been happening for quite a few years now, and quite a few players have felt it over the years., you know, if not come out openly and said something about it, but internally, a lot of people used to feel that the crowd. Even though we also love MS Dhoni, and they also love MS Dhoni, and we want to see him bat, but sometimes when you, as an individual, are going out to bat, they are shouting from the crowd to... literally asking you to get out. Or they are anticipating or expecting you to get out."
Also read: CSK vs RCB Pitch Report & Weather Updates at Chepauk, Chennai: IPL 2025 Match 8
Ambati Rayudu Urges MS Dhoni to Ease Fan Frenzy
Rayudu believes only Dhoni holds the key to easing the intense fan focus that sometimes overshadows the other CSK players.
"The best person who can address that is MS Dhoni himself. If he comes out and says, 'they are all our players, and just like me batting they are batting in the middle', or something like that to soothe the crowd, it will be great for the players," he said.
Looking ahead, Rayudu warned that CSK’s heavy reliance on Dhoni’s star power could spell trouble down the line.
"It will be quite challenging. Not only for the players or Chennai, but definitely for the franchise itself, because for them to [attract] crowds like that, especially even on weekdays - the stands are full, the engagement is amazing; there is no cricketer close to him, to be honest. They have not built up any other guy in the franchise to pull the crowds, because it has always revolved around MS Dhoni. That might come back to maybe bite them in terms of branding or getting the crowds in. So they will have to really think out of the box to make something happen," Rayudu concluded.
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CSK to Face RCB After Beating MI
Chennai Super Kings are scheduled to host Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on March 28, Friday, at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. They will march into this contest on the back of a four-wicket win achieved versus Mumbai Indians (MI).
Notably, RCB knocked out CSK from the playoff race last year.
For More Updates on CSK vs RCB IPL 2025 Match
