For CSK supporters, MS Dhoni is a godlike figure, yet this “weird” obsession can occasionally get out of control.
For Chennai Super Kings (CSK) supporters, MS Dhoni is a godlike figure. Dhoni’s name has been synonymous with CSK throughout the years. Even during the away games at Chepauk last season,there were more CSK jerseys in the stadium than home team jerseys. The Dhoni factor is the reason for this. Fans can only watch Dhoni play during the IPL because he hasn’t played any other kind of cricket since he declared his retirement from international competition.
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But according to former CSK batsman Ambati Rayudu,Chennai’s fans are primarily Dhoni devotees, and the team does not benefit “well” from this “strange” fixation.
“I think it doesn’t really help the game, and it’s very weird. If you’ve never done it before,it can be intimidating. It’s really noisy. The assistance is outstanding. However,as you play,you discover that they are more of an MS Dhoni supporter than a CSK fan. Since that is how the squad has been organized and developed over the years,it is fairly obvious,and rightfully so,”Rayudu told ESPNCricinfo.
“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 stated.
Rayudu also brought up the fact that CSK supporters frequently applaud when their players leave the field so they can watch Dhoni bat. For those who were not aware,during last week’s game against the Mumbai Indians,CSK supporters were applauding the dismissals of their own players.Former CSK player Rayudu disclosed that several of the players in the past have frequently thought this fan behavior was really odd.
Many players have experienced it over the years, and even if they haven’t spoken out about it publicly, many people used to sense that the crowd was watching. It’s been going on for a while now. Even if they and we both adore MS Dhoni and want to see him bat, there are instances when when you are going out to bat alone, the fans will literally yell for you to go. Alternatively,they’re waiting for you to leave,” Rayudu added.
Rayudu urged the team to get ready for the day when the five-time IPL champion skipper won’t be around,implying that only Dhoni can resolve this issue.
“MS Dhoni himself is the ideal guy to handle that. The players will benefit greatly if he publicly states,”They are all our players,and just like me batting, they are batting in the middle,”or something similar to calm the fans,he stated.
“It will be really difficult. Not only for the players or Chennai,but also for the team itself,since they are able to [draw] such large fans,even during the week,with packed stands and incredible involvement; to be honest,no cricket player is near him.Since the focus of the franchise has always been MS Dhoni, no other player has been developed to draw large spectators.That could backfire on them in terms of branding or drawing in crowds. To make something happen,they will thus need to think quite creatively,” he continued.