Angbati Rayudu feels that the fixation of the crowd Chennai, saying that Mrs. Dhoni appeared on the bat during the matches, can be sad for other players and feels that the games are not good. “Dhoni, Dhoni” are quite loud and a good reason during the matches in Chepauk because it has been an icon of franchise in the last 18 seasons. Over the past few seasons, however, fixation of fans, when they saw the legend of CSK, saw fans eagerly sing to the release of their own player occasionally.
Ravindra Jadeja commented on this during the 2023 season And Rayudu feels that CSK supporters are first fans of Dhoni. Former CSK player said he felt that madness was a bit strange for Dhoni because other players feel warm because of the admiration for the former Indian captain. Rayudu feels that such situations can be prevented because other players also show their commitment to franchise.
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“He’s quite daunting if you’re a newcomer,” Espncricinfo told Rayudu. “It’s quite loud. Support is phenomenal. But as you continue and play, then you realize that MS Dhoni fans are before the fans of CSK. CSK.”
“It has been going on for several years and quite a few players have felt it over the years, you know, unless it goes open and we say something, but internally, many people behaved that the crowd, even though we love Mrs. Dhoni, and also love Mrs. Dhoni and we want to see it.”
“So it’s quite strange and I don’t think it actually serves the game well to be very honest. All (other) players give the best for the team.
What happens when Dhoni leaves
Rayudu feels that Dhoni’s retirement can be a heavy phase for CSK, because they did not build any other player during the IPL matches to be a crowd.
“It will be quite challenging. Not only for players or Chennai, but certainly for the franchise itself, because they (attract) such crowds, especially on weekdays – the stalls are full, engagement is amazing; there is no cricket to be honest,” Rayudu said. “They didn’t build any other guy in the franchise to pull the crowds, because they always spin around Mrs. Dhoni.”
“That could return to their bite when it comes to branding or get crowds in. So they’ll really have to think out of the box to make something happen.”
Dhoni will be in action next as CSK Face RCB on Friday 28th March.
Published on:
March 28, 2025
