When MS Dhoni stepped onto the field needing four runs to secure victory against the Mumbai Indians in their IPL 2025 opener, the enthusiastic crowd at MA Chidambaram Stadium felt their investment was justified. Fans, both in the stadium and those watching from home, eagerly anticipated witnessing what they had longed for over the past year—a signature Dhoni six to conclude the match in a memorable fashion. However, it was Rachin Ravindra who ultimately sealed the win with a six of his own. While this was a triumphant moment for the young New Zealand player, he faced a barrage of hateful messages on social media from Dhoni's supporters following the match.

After Ravindra Jadeja was dismissed on the fourth ball of the penultimate over, Dhoni entered the fray, igniting wild excitement among the Chepauk crowd. With just four runs required and having seen the 43-year-old display flashes of his finishing prowess in the previous season, fans were hopeful for a nostalgic moment—one that would transport them back to Dhoni's illustrious past.

However, Dhoni chose to defend both remaining deliveries of the 19th over, allowing Rachin to take the strike, which he capitalized on by hitting a six on the first ball of the final over. This decisive act did not resonate well with Dhoni's fans, who subsequently directed their frustration at Rachin through hateful comments on his Instagram account.

"Why didn’t you give the strike to Dhoni?" was a common refrain among fans on his post from six days prior to joining the CSK camp for the season opener. Another fan questioned, "Why didn’t you let Dhoni hit a six?" One individual even threatened to "unfollow" him on Instagram, while another suggested that Chennai should "drop" him for the upcoming match.

Rachin Ravindra on Dhoni fandom

The left-handed opener experienced the fervent support for Dhoni in Chennai on Sunday, before discussing his decision to withhold the moment fans anticipated.

"It’s challenging to fully appreciate the atmosphere while you’re in the game, as your primary focus is on securing a victory for the team," he remarked following the match. "However, it’s hard to overlook the excitement; you can hear the whistles and cheers for Dhoni. Sharing the crease with him for the first time is quite remarkable. He is a cricketing icon, and the fans here adore him, making it a memorable experience.

"The entire crowd likely hoped I would give him the strike so he could finish the game. Nevertheless, it’s all about completing the task at hand. He has successfully concluded numerous matches for CSK, and I am confident there are many more to come."

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