Ambati Rayudu Questions CSK Fans' Madness Around MS Dhoni

Former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and India batter Ambati Rayudu raised some serious questions about the fandom surrounding MS Dhoni during the Indian Premier League (IPL) season at Chepauk.

Rayudu mentioned instances where the crowd is actually asking other batters to get out just so they can see Dhoni bat and highlighted how such behaviour is detrimental to the other batters and their confidence. 

“It is quite daunting if you're a newcomer. It's quite loud. The support is phenomenal. But, as you play, you realise they are MS Dhoni fans before they are CSK fans," Rayudu told ESPNcricinfo.

A former CSK legend himself, Rayudu also added that while Dhoni deserves all the applause and anticipation from the fans, it gives the impression that the fans are just for Dhoni and not CSK. He feels it disrespects the sacrifices and commitment shown by other CSK batters when the fans ask them to get out just to see Dhoni bat. 

"It is quite evident (that fans are supporting Dhoni more than CSK), and rightly so, because that's the way the team has been set up and built over the years,” Rayudu said.

“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....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.

“So it is quite strange, and I don't think it actually serves the game well to be very honest. All the (other) players are giving their best for the team as well and they have put in a lot of sacrifice to be where they are. When things like that happen from their own crowd, I feel, maybe it can be avoided.”