Former India batter Ambati Rayudu has strongly responded to the criticism he has faced for supporting Chennai Super Kings (CSK) icon MS Dhoni. Rayudu, who played six seasons for CSK, has been receiving negative messages on social media for his unwavering backing of the franchise and Dhoni. Taking to social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Rayudu broke his silence, reiterating that he is and will always be a fan of 'Thala' Dhoni. He also lashed out at critics, stating that their hate messages would not change his opinion. "I was a Thala's fan. I am a Thala's fan. I will always be a Thala's fan. No matter what anyone thinks or does. It will not make a one percent difference," Rayudu wrote. "So please stop spending money on paid PR and donate that to charity. A lot of underprivileged people can benefit."
Rayudu has faced ridicule and harsh comments on social media for his constant backing of Dhoni, not just from fans but also fellow commentators. Recently, former India batsman Navjot Singh Sidhu poked fun at Rayudu, calling Dhoni a "chameleon" after a disagreement between the two.
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Dhoni was retained by CSK for Rs 4 crore as an uncapped player ahead of the 2025 season. However, his batting performance has not been up to expectations, raising questions about his role in the team. His batting position has also been criticized, especially after he came in at number nine against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), where CSK lost by 50 runs.
Meanwhile, former CSK wicketkeeper-batter Robin Uthappa has offered his opinion on Dhoni’s batting position. Uthappa suggested that Dhoni should bat slightly higher up the order to have a more significant impact. "I don’t think there was ever a lack of intent from MS Dhoni. Even outside the IPL, I believe he has passed on responsibility to others and given them a clear understanding of what to expect in the coming years as CSK rebuilds into a championship-contending side. That transition is happening, and while we would love to see MS bat the way he is right now, perhaps a little higher up the order, I don’t think the problem lies at the end," Uthappa said on JioHotstar.
Uthappa also shared his thoughts on CSK’s performance in their recent match against Punjab Kings (PBKS). He stated that while CSK had a strong start, their performance in the middle overs caused them to lose momentum. "They started well, scoring almost 9.8 or 9.9 runs per over, which is as good as you can expect with the kind of openers they have. But you can’t let the game slip in the middle overs, especially when chasing a big total. The approach in the overs from 7 to 12 was very quiet," Uthappa explained.
CSK will now face Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in their next match on Friday. The upcoming clash is expected to be crucial for both teams as they look to secure important points in the IPL 2025 season.
