16 days ago

Dhoni's Fair Play Plea: Rayudu Recalls Humorous CSK Incident

Batter

Former Indian cricketer Ambati Rayudu recounted a humorous incident involving MS Dhoni during their time together at the Chennai Super Kings. Rayudu revealed that Dhoni often urged him to avoid contesting umpires' decisions to preserve the team's Fair Play points.

Ironically, Dhoni himself once walked onto the field to dispute a call, though Rayudu clarified it was due to the team's losing situation, not a personal outburst. This anecdote offers a glimpse into Dhoni's leadership style, balancing a desire for fair play with the competitive intensity of the IPL.

Rayudu played for CSK from 2018 to 2023, contributing significantly to their success. He highlighted Dhoni's awareness of his own temper and his efforts to maintain a positive image for the team, even while experiencing the pressures of high-stakes matches.

The lighthearted story adds to the rich tapestry of anecdotes surrounding Dhoni's captaincy and his relationship with his teammates.

Dhoni's Fair Play Plea: Rayudu Recalls Humorous CSK Incident image

““Sometimes, Mahi bhai would tell me — just like a tin roof heats up quickly, I also tend to lose my cool quickly. We would point out to the umpire that a delivery was wide or a no-ball, and he would always tell me, ‘Just focus on batting, don’t raise your hand. I don’t want to lose Fair Play points because of you.’ Interestingly, that same year, he himself walked onto the field — not because of me, but because we were losing”

Ambati Rayudu, Former Indian Cricketer