Former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) batter Ambati Rayudu has claimed that during his playing days, he, alongside Ravindra Jaedja, struggled with the notion that fans came to watch MS Dhoni first and the franchise later.

Former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) batter Ambati Rayudu has claimed that during his playing days, he, alongside Ravindra Jaedja, struggled with the notion that fans came to watch MS Dhoni first and the franchise later. Rayudu made the rather uncharacteristic comment ahead of CSK's final league match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) which could decide if the team advances to the playoffs or not. "Even when you hit a six and a four the crowd is silent, me and Jadeja felt that in the last few years. I really believe when I say this, that CSK fans are MS Dhoni fans first, and CSK fans later. Even Jadeja gets frustrated, but he cannot do anything," Rayudu said on Star Sports. Dhoni is an undisputed crowd favourite in India. Even when CSK are playing away from home, the majority of the crowd dons a CSK jersey with Dhoni on the backside. In what has possibly been his final few years on the IPL circuit, fans have come out in even greater numbers to cheer the former Indian captain. While Jadeja may have been frustrated with the conduct of the fans towards other CSK players, Dhoni appears to be on cordial terms with all. The former CSK captain was seen hugging Jadeja passionately after the final against Gujarat Titans last year where the all-rounder smashed 10 runs on the last two deliveries to seal another IPL trophy for the franchise. Also read | IPL 2024: CSK coach says MS Dhoni’s knock ‘psychologically’ affected MI Dhoni on his future Quizzed about his retirement after CSK won the final, Dhoni said he wanted to come back for the fans one more time. “Circumstantially if you see, this is the best time to announce my retirement. But the amount of love and affection I have been shown wherever I have been this year, the easy thing would be for me to say ‘Thank you very much’, but the tough thing for me is to work hard for another nine months and come back and play at least one more season of IPL,” Dhoni told commentator Harsha Bhogle. "A lot depends on the body, I have 6-7 months to decide. It will be more like a gift from my side, it's not easy for me but that's a gift. The way they've shown their love and affection, I think that's something I need to do for them," he added. Dhoni underwent a knee surgery and despite playing no professional cricket since then, has been one of the most dangerous death-over batters in the league. CSK squad: Ruturaj Gaikwad (C), MS Dhoni, Moeen Ali, Deepak Chahar, Tushar Deshpande, Shivam Dube, Rajvardhan Hangargekar, Ravindra Jadeja, Ajay Mandal, Mukesh Choudhary, Ajinkya Rahane, Shaik Rasheed, Mitchell Santner, Simarjeet Singh, Nishant Sindhu, Prashant Solanki, Maheesh Theekshana, Rachin Ravindra, Shardul Thakur, Daryl Mitchell, Sameer Rizvi, Avanish Rao Aravelly. (With inputs from agencies)

'He gets frustrated': Ambati Rayudu reveals Jadeja's issue at CSK involving MS Dhoni

Openers KL Rahul and Ambati Rayadu gave India the required start while chasing a decent target of 253 runs set by Afghanistan.&nbsp;

The two laid a strong foundation of the Indian inning and stitched a 110-run partnership, with Rayadu contributing 57 runs, before losing his wicket to Mohammad Nabi.&nbsp;

Rayadu's 49-ball inning included four boundaries and one six. &nbsp;

KL Rahul, on the other hand, also reached his half-century in 55 balls. &nbsp;

Earlier, Mohammad Shahzad's brilliant century and Mohammad Nabi's perfect cameo powered Afghanistan to a total of 252 for the loss of eight wickets against India on Tuesday.

Electing to bat, Afghan's Shahzad was the sole player on whom the team relied before nabi took the driver's seat.&nbsp;

The opener was in action from the very first ball and played magnificently against the Indian bowling attack to slam 124 runs.

Dropped at 49 by &nbsp;Ambati Rayudu, Shahzad slammed 11 boundaries and 7 huge sixes in his 116-ball inning, which was finally ended by Kedhar Jadhav. &nbsp;

Afghans could have put a high target if Shahzad would have found an ally in the downline. Apart from him no other player, till Nabi arrived, could stand the Indian attack and were dismissed in quick successions.

Nabi's 56-ball 64 runs cameo was supported with three boundaries and four sixes. &nbsp;He played at a strike rate of 114.29, much better than what Shahzad's had today. &nbsp;

Khaleel Ahmed was the man who took Nabi's wicket to restrict Afghanistan's score.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja took two and three wickets respectively to keep Afghanistan in control. &nbsp; &nbsp;

India, who is being captained by MS Dhoni, will have to display a better class of batting to win the game.&nbsp;

Even if India lose, they will still be playing the Asi Cup final, after they registered a comfortable victory against Bangladesh and Pakistan earlier to book a spot. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Openers KL Rahul and Ambati Rayadu gave India the required start while chasing a decent target of 253 runs set by Afghanistan. The two laid a strong foundation of the Indian inning and stitched a 110-run partnership, with Rayadu contributing 57 runs, before losing his wicket to Mohammad Nabi.

Openers KL Rahul and Ambati Rayadu gave India the required start while chasing a decent target of 253 runs set by Afghanistan. The two laid a strong foundation of the Indian inning and stitched a 110-run partnership, with Rayadu contributing 57 runs, before losing his wicket to Mohammad Nabi. Rayadu's 49-ball inning included four boundaries and one six. KL Rahul, on the other hand, also reached his half-century in 55 balls. Earlier, Mohammad Shahzad's brilliant century and Mohammad Nabi's perfect cameo powered Afghanistan to a total of 252 for the loss of eight wickets against India on Tuesday. Electing to bat, Afghan's Shahzad was the sole player on whom the team relied before nabi took the driver's seat. The opener was in action from the very first ball and played magnificently against the Indian bowling attack to slam 124 runs. Dropped at 49 by Ambati Rayudu, Shahzad slammed 11 boundaries and 7 huge sixes in his 116-ball inning, which was finally ended by Kedhar Jadhav. Afghans could have put a high target if Shahzad would have found an ally in the downline. Apart from him no other player, till Nabi arrived, could stand the Indian attack and were dismissed in quick successions. Nabi's 56-ball 64 runs cameo was supported with three boundaries and four sixes. He played at a strike rate of 114.29, much better than what Shahzad's had today. Khaleel Ahmed was the man who took Nabi's wicket to restrict Afghanistan's score. Meanwhile, Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja took two and three wickets respectively to keep Afghanistan in control. India, who is being captained by MS Dhoni, will have to display a better class of batting to win the game. Even if India lose, they will still be playing the Asi Cup final, after they registered a comfortable victory against Bangladesh and Pakistan earlier to book a spot.

Asia Cup: Rayudu falls after quickfire fifty, India 114/1 after 18 overs

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'He gets frustrated': Ambati Rayudu reveals Jadeja's issue at CSK involving MS Dhoni

Asia Cup: Rayudu falls after quickfire fifty, India 114/1 after 18 overs