Sachin Tendulkar last played IPL in 2013, but still, it has not stopped even loyal Master Blaster fans to support Mumbai Indians (MI). But according to Ambati Rayudu, for Chennai Super Kings (CSK), MS Dhoni comes first, rather than the CSK team. In fact, Rayudu is also not sure if CSK fans will turn up in huge numbers if Dhoni bids adieu to IPL.
Speaking on Ranveer Allabhadia’s show 360, the former CSK star, who has also played for MI, opines that for MI, the team matters most, rather than fan-crushing over a certain player.
“As a player, I would say, they support Mumbai Indians more than one player or X player or Y player. They are always for Mumbai Indians. Chennai Super Kings is slightly different. Chennai are Dhoni’s fans first, and then CSK. If Mahi bhai is not there, don’t think the stadium would be half full. They are all Mahi bhai fans,” Rayudu said.
Over the 16 years of IPL, MI have hardly turned up numbers posing with banners for one player. It is not that they are short of star power. Sachin Tendulkar, Lasith Malinga, Shaun Pollack, and Sanath Jayasuriya are a few of the superstars who have turned up for MI. But despite these stars retiring from the game, MI fans still come every year to support the team.
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But for CSK as we have witnessed, it is first Dhoni and then the rest of the team. In fact, during this year’s IPL, Ravindra Jadeja got rattled by CSK fans for not supporting him and only supporting Dhoni. The Southpaw had to take matters into his own hands in the final between CSK vs GT to earn the CSK fan’s trust yet again.
Speaking about the CSK captain, he is returning to play the IPL 2024 season one more time. As promised by Dhoni at the post-match presentation during IPL 2023 final, Dhoni wants to give fans a gift for the undying support and love they have shown him in the stands this season.
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