For the last few days, many fans and pundits have trilled and criticized the former Indian and Chennai Super Kings’ batter, Ambati Rayudu, for his tireless support for MS Dhoni in IPL 2025.
The 43-year-old, playing as the wicket-keeper batter for the five-time champions, is facing the heat this season. He is coming at number eight or even nine after Ravichandran Ashwin in the batting order and isn’t showing any intent from the start. Many former players have also called for dropping him from the team.
Ambati Rayudu gives an official statement on being Thala’s fan
Following the constant trolling, Ambati Rayudu has hit back at the critics. The former batter, on April 10, in a post on his ‘X’ account (formerly known as Twitter) accepted his admiration for the World Cup-winning captain.
Also Read: CSK Coach Stephen Fleming Brutally Mocked By DC Head Coach!! Namedrops MS Dhoni
Ambati Rayudu stated that his love for Dhoni won’t be affected by anyone’s opinions. He also took a dig at the criticism he has faced, besides asking to spend money on noble causes rather than this paid PR.
"I was a Thala’s fan. I am a Thala’s fan. And I will always be a Thala’s fan. No matter what anyone thinks or does. It will not make a one percent difference.” The Hyderabad-born Ambati Rayudu wrote on X.
"So please stop spending money on paid pr and donate that to charity. A lot of underprivileged people can benefit.” Ambati Rayudu highlighted.
Playing under Dhoni in the Chennai Super Kings, Ambati Rayudu has earned so much success with 1932 runs in 80 innings at an average of just below 30 and a strike rate of 129.31, shouldering eight half-centuries and one century.
Ambati Rayudu also won three titles with the Yellow Army in 2018, 2021, and 2023, before taking retirement.
The season 2025 has seen the veteran wicket-keeper batter struggle a lot with the bat in the lower order. In the very first game, he came for just a few deliveries before Rachin Ravindra shouldered them over the winning margin.
In the second game, against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, many pundits call for the veteran to come up in the batting order. But still, he decided to come at number nine, after Ashwin in the batting department.
He smashed an unbeaten 30 runs in the innings, but that didn’t make any difference in the contest. Even against the Delhi Capitals, when the required run rate was way higher, Dhoni decided to play a few defensive shots, and that killed the game for the side.
Against the Rajasthan Royals and the Punjab Kings, he tried to play the aggressive shots but failed to carry the side over the winning margin. Many fans and commentators have called for the veteran to retire from the league in the middle of the tournament.
CSK struggles in the batting department
The Chennai Super Kings started the IPL 2025 with a victory against the Mumbai Indians. They were ahead in the clash from the start, but couldn’t hold their impressive performance till the end.
Also Read: Ravichandran Ashwin Trolls CSK To Claim RCB Fans As ‘Real Fans’
Since then, nothing has gone their way in the batting department. Their opening partnership has not worked, as they have tried different combinations in the process. Apart from the previous game against Punjab, the best score was 18 for the opening wicket.
Their bowling in the death overs has been terrible. Outside Pathirana, all of them have struggled with their right line and length.
Ambati Rayudu Risks His Reputation To Stand With MS Dhoni Despite Commentary Career Threat
Published - 10 Apr 2025, 07:29 PM | Updated - 10 Apr 2025, 07:35 PM
Table of Contents
For the last few days, many fans and pundits have trilled and criticized the former Indian and Chennai Super Kings’ batter, Ambati Rayudu, for his tireless support for MS Dhoni in IPL 2025.
The 43-year-old, playing as the wicket-keeper batter for the five-time champions, is facing the heat this season. He is coming at number eight or even nine after Ravichandran Ashwin in the batting order and isn’t showing any intent from the start. Many former players have also called for dropping him from the team.
Ambati Rayudu gives an official statement on being Thala’s fan
Following the constant trolling, Ambati Rayudu has hit back at the critics. The former batter, on April 10, in a post on his ‘X’ account (formerly known as Twitter) accepted his admiration for the World Cup-winning captain.
Also Read: CSK Coach Stephen Fleming Brutally Mocked By DC Head Coach!! Namedrops MS Dhoni
Ambati Rayudu stated that his love for Dhoni won’t be affected by anyone’s opinions. He also took a dig at the criticism he has faced, besides asking to spend money on noble causes rather than this paid PR.
"I was a Thala’s fan. I am a Thala’s fan. And I will always be a Thala’s fan. No matter what anyone thinks or does. It will not make a one percent difference.” The Hyderabad-born Ambati Rayudu wrote on X.
"So please stop spending money on paid pr and donate that to charity. A lot of underprivileged people can benefit.” Ambati Rayudu highlighted.
Playing under Dhoni in the Chennai Super Kings, Ambati Rayudu has earned so much success with 1932 runs in 80 innings at an average of just below 30 and a strike rate of 129.31, shouldering eight half-centuries and one century.
Ambati Rayudu also won three titles with the Yellow Army in 2018, 2021, and 2023, before taking retirement.
MS Dhoni’s struggling performance in IPL 2025
The season 2025 has seen the veteran wicket-keeper batter struggle a lot with the bat in the lower order. In the very first game, he came for just a few deliveries before Rachin Ravindra shouldered them over the winning margin.
In the second game, against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, many pundits call for the veteran to come up in the batting order. But still, he decided to come at number nine, after Ashwin in the batting department.
He smashed an unbeaten 30 runs in the innings, but that didn’t make any difference in the contest. Even against the Delhi Capitals, when the required run rate was way higher, Dhoni decided to play a few defensive shots, and that killed the game for the side.
Against the Rajasthan Royals and the Punjab Kings, he tried to play the aggressive shots but failed to carry the side over the winning margin. Many fans and commentators have called for the veteran to retire from the league in the middle of the tournament.
CSK struggles in the batting department
The Chennai Super Kings started the IPL 2025 with a victory against the Mumbai Indians. They were ahead in the clash from the start, but couldn’t hold their impressive performance till the end.
Also Read: Ravichandran Ashwin Trolls CSK To Claim RCB Fans As ‘Real Fans’
Since then, nothing has gone their way in the batting department. Their opening partnership has not worked, as they have tried different combinations in the process. Apart from the previous game against Punjab, the best score was 18 for the opening wicket.
Their bowling in the death overs has been terrible. Outside Pathirana, all of them have struggled with their right line and length.
Tagged:
Chennai Super Kings MS Dhoni Ambati Rayudu IPL