The former cricketer Ambati Rayudu has lashed out at criticism of his comments about MS Dhoni after CSK suffered four consecutive defeats in the ongoing IPL 2025 season.
The former CSK player has hit out at trolls, saying that he will continue to be a fan of ‘Thala’. Rayudu faced criticism for his comments about MS Dhoni following CSK’s defeat against Punjab Kings on April 08.
A section of fans labelled his remarks as ‘over-the-top’ after the former CSK star compared MS Dhoni to a war hero, with a sword in a hand.
Rayudu made the comments during sharing the mic with Navjot Singh Sidhu during the Hindi broadcast of the match on Tuesday.
“I was a Thala’s fan. I am a Thala’s fan I will always be a Thala’s fan,” Rayudu said in X post.
“No matter what anyone thinks or does. It will not make a one percent difference. So please stop spending money on paid pr and donate that to charity. Lot of underprivileged people can benefit,” he added.
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.
So please stop spending money on paid pr and donate that to charity. Lot of underprivileged people can benefit.
— ATR (@RayuduAmbati) April 10, 2025
Navjot Singh Sidhu had questioned the 39 year old on-air for his commentary. The incident happened when the former CSK skipper came to bat against Punjab Kings.
“Aisa lagra hai Talwar lekr are hain Dhoni, bilkul chalega talwar aaj Dhoni ka Talwar chalega. (It looks like Dhoni is carrying a sword; the sword will definitely work. Today Dhoni’s sword will work)” Rayudu said during the commentary.
“Dhoni Cricket khelne aye hain Guru? Yudh ladne nahin?” Sidhu wrote on his X while sharing the clip to question Ambati Rayudu.
Dhoni walked out to bat at No.5 during the match where CSK needed off 69 runs off 25 balls. The 43 year old managed to score 27 runs in 12 deliveries with three sixes and a boundary. Despite his solid knock, CSK lost the match by 18 runs.
However the side are aiming to return to winning ways while they face Kolkata Knight Riders on April 11 at M.A. Chidambaram Stadium.
