Rayudu says Chepauk’s obsession with Dhoni can be ‘intimidating’ for other players

Rayudu: Chepauk’s Dhoni Obsession Can Be Intimidating for Other Players

Chepauk’s crowd is famously knowledgeable and deeply passionate, especially during IPL games featuring the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). But that passion often centers more around MS Dhoni than the team itself—a dynamic that Ambati Rayudu believes isn’t entirely healthy for the game.

Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, Rayudu said, “It is quite daunting if you're a newcomer. It's quite loud. The support is phenomenal. But as you play more, you realize they are MS Dhoni fans before they are CSK fans.”

He likened the atmosphere to the Tendulkar era in Indian cricket, when the fall of a wicket often brought more excitement than concern, as fans eagerly awaited the batting great's arrival. For other players, though—like Rahul Dravid in those days—it could feel demoralizing.

Rayudu noted that while every player, including himself, loves and respects Dhoni, it can be unsettling to walk out to bat while the crowd is already chanting for your dismissal—just to see Dhoni come in. “It’s quite strange,” he said. “And I don’t think it actually serves the game well.”

He acknowledged that Dhoni’s aura and legacy have shaped the franchise's identity, calling him rightly "Thala"—the leader—but pointed out that CSK has not developed other marquee players who can draw the same kind of crowd support. That, he warned, could pose a branding challenge for the team once Dhoni retires.

“[CSK] 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,” Rayudu said. “They will have to really think out of the box to make something happen.”

Asked whether Dhoni himself could address the imbalance, Rayudu admitted it's a difficult call. “It’s hard to ask the fans to change. But that’s what any good crowd would do—support the team, not just one player. Especially someone like [Ravindra] Jadeja, who’s won games for them recently, deserves more recognition.”

While Dhoni has never publicly addressed the issue, Rayudu believes he could play a crucial role in shifting the crowd’s focus. “If he were to say something like, ‘They are all our players, support them like you support me,’ it could make a big difference.”

Looking ahead, Rayudu acknowledged that life after Dhoni would be a significant transition for CSK and its fanbase. “It’ll be challenging—for the players, the fans, and the franchise. There’s no cricketer who comes close to him in terms of crowd pull. So they’ll need to plan carefully for a post-Dhoni future.”

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