The Chennai cricket crowd has long been regarded as one of the most knowledgeable and passionate in India. At IPL matches featuring Chennai Super Kings (CSK), their enthusiasm reaches another level. However, much of that energy seems to center around one man—MS Dhoni. According to former CSK player Ambati Rayudu, this singular focus on Dhoni, while understandable, may not always benefit the team.
MS Dhoni: The Center of Attention
Whenever CSK is batting at Chepauk, the anticipation for Dhoni’s arrival at the crease is palpable. When a wicket falls, the crowd buzzes with excitement, waiting for their beloved “Thala” to step out. It mirrors the days when Sachin Tendulkar’s arrival at the crease in Test cricket sparked joy among fans. For the batter coming out before Dhoni, however, the experience can be daunting.
Rayudu pointed out that while the crowd’s support is phenomenal, it can be overwhelming for players who are not Dhoni. “When you go out to bat, the fans are almost willing you to get out just to see Dhoni,” Rayudu explained. “It’s strange, and honestly, it doesn’t serve the game well. Every player on the team works hard and sacrifices a lot, and they deserve the fans’ support too.”
The Dhoni Effect on Team Dynamics
The dominance of Dhoni’s popularity means that no other player in the franchise has been groomed to capture the crowd’s imagination. Rayudu warned that this could pose a challenge for CSK once Dhoni retires. “The franchise will need to think creatively to maintain the same level of fan engagement. Without Dhoni, it could affect branding and crowd attendance,” he said.
No one blames Dhoni for the fanfare—just as no one blamed Tendulkar in his time or Virat Kohli today. But the question remains: can something be done to balance the attention between Dhoni and the rest of the team?
Should Dhoni Address the Fans?
Rayudu believes that the only person capable of shifting the crowd’s focus is Dhoni himself. “If he comes out and says, ‘Support all our players, not just me,’ it could make a huge difference for the team,” Rayudu suggested. However, he acknowledged that Dhoni has never publicly addressed the issue, and it is unclear if he ever will.
Despite the overwhelming Dhoni-centric culture, Rayudu emphasized the need for balance in a team sport. Players like Ravindra Jadeja, who have delivered match-winning performances for CSK, also deserve recognition and support.
Life After Dhoni: A Challenge for CSK
The question of what happens when Dhoni eventually retires looms large. While there were expectations of his retirement a few seasons ago, he continues to lead the team. Rayudu predicts that his departure will create significant challenges—not just for the players but for the entire CSK franchise.
“For now, no cricketer comes close to matching his fan following,” Rayudu remarked. “Once he steps away, CSK will need to find new ways to keep the fans engaged and the stadiums full.”
In the end, while MS Dhoni’s legacy is undeniable, the future of CSK depends on building a team culture where every player feels supported and valued by the fans. Whether Dhoni chooses to address this directly remains to be seen—but for the sake of the team’s long-term success, it may be a conversation worth having.
