Sanjay Manjrekar Calls MS Dhoni Fans Bootlickers, Gives Reason For CSK Downfall

Manjrekar blasts MS Dhoni fans [Source: AFP]

CSK and MS Dhoni are a love story that stretches back to the inaugural edition of the IPL. The Chennai Super Kings franchise invested a hefty amount of money to acquire the services of the then-India captain, and that investment worked wonders, not only for the team, but also for the player.

Over the last 19 years, since the start of the IPL, MS Dhoni’s popularity has skyrocketed in the Southern region, mainly in the Tamil Nadu belt. He is worshipped as a god, with fans coming to the Chepauk Stadium, solely to watch MSD play in front of their eyes.

The relationship between CSK and MS Dhoni has benefited both parties as MSD has generated tons of revenue for the team, and at the same time, has helped the Super Kings win five IPL titles.

Ex-India cricketer lambasts MS Dhoni fans for CSK downfall

However, in the last couple of IPL seasons, CSK has witnessed a great downfall, as they have failed to qualify for the playoffs in the 2024 and 2025 editions. Post IPL 2024, MS Dhoni stepped away from captaincy duties, and the helm was taken over by Ruturaj Gaikwad.

Interestingly, it has been difficult for MS Dhoni fans to digest having a new CSK skipper, as with every loss CSK face, the blame is put on Gaikwad. 

Speaking on the same issue, former India cricketer and commentator, Sanjay Manjrekar, has slammed the MSD fandom and has blamed his fans for CSK and Gaikwad’s downfall.

“This blame, I’m going to put at the doorstep of the owners and people who make the big decisions. Because Gaikwad, before he was captain, was phenomenal at the top of the order,” Manjrekar told Sportstar in an interview.

“And then that thing with M.S Dhoni, whether he’s going to be playing, whether he’s going to be captain, they handled that very badly. And this is where you see the sycophancy of Indian culture that has seeped into cricket as well. I mean, there isn’t just a fan following of Dhoni, there is sycophancy around it," he added.

Manjrekar narrates how Dhoni fans targeted him for speaking against "Thala"

The former Indian cricketer narrated an incident where he spoke about the intensity of MSD fandom and how they fail to digest criticism directed towards their favourite player.

“There was [this] one instance of Dhoni trying to put his bat into the crease, and it was a very close call. And I said, well, he is clearly short of the crease, and it should be run out. They [fans] got angry with me for saying that because it was anti-Dhoni. So somewhere they lost sight of the whole picture.”

Also Read: MS Dhoni To Miss IPL's El-Classico MI vs CSK Match For The 1st Time In 7 Years?

Injury puts MS Dhoni's IPL 2026 start in jeopardy

Even before the start of IPL 2026, CSK suffered a major injury jolt as their veteran player and leader, MS Dhoni, was put on the sidelines due to a calf injury he sustained in training.

Initially, the 44-year-old was expected to be on the shelf for just two weeks, but the rehabilitation took time, and the injury timeline period was extended. 

His IPL 2026 comeback was delayed, and a couple of days ago, it was reported that CSK’s “Thala” would make his return against the Mumbai Indians on April 23; however, fresh reports have emerged, stating that the former India captain might not be fully fit for the MI match, and his return could be pushed further.

Also Read: Shreyas Iyer Breaks Silence On Vaibhav Sooryavanshi As Reports Emerge Of Both Playing For India