Watch- Ian Bishop accuses Ambati Rayudu of being staunch CSK fanboy; the latter responds

Former West Indies cricketer Ian Bishop poked fun at Ambati Rayudu for his bias toward Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the IPL. Bishop stated that former CSK players like Ambati Rayudu, Matthew Hayden, and Shane Watson are so committed to the franchise, adding that their connection is unbreakable.

Ambati Rayudu played for Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings, winning three titles with each franchise. He joined CSK during the 2018 mega auction. Rayudu amassed 1,932 runs in 90 matches. The 38-year-old announced his retirement from professional cricket after lifting the IPL 2023 trophy with CSK.

Ian Bishop Calls Out Ambati Rayudu for Bias Towards Chennai Super Kings

In a conversation with ESPNcricinfo, Ian Bishop called out Rayudu for his bias towards the Chennai Super Kings. Bishop said that former CSK players would only acknowledge the team’s flaws once CSK personnel leave the room.

Rayudu admitted the bias without hesitation, saying, “Unapologetically, we are.” Bishop revealed he’d wanted to ask that question for a long time. Rayudu then quipped that despite their clear loyalty, they manage to keep a neutral face when needed.

You can see the full video below:

CSK banter with Ambati Rayudu never gets old 😆 pic.twitter.com/9h2Jjp5Jc6

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) April 7, 2025

We Have a Very Good Neutral Face - Ambati Rayudu

Several former CSK players, including Rayudu, Matthew Hayden, and Shane Watson, are now part of the IPL 2025 commentary panel. They also share their insights during CSK games. Other ex-CSK stars like Suresh Raina, S. Badrinath, and Harbhajan Singh also share their voices in similar roles.

"The CSK guys, right? Ambati Rayudu, Matthew Hayden, and Shane Watson, they are very, very pro-CSK. CSK have to leave the room before they confess that CSK is not it. Given the success, I understand why there is a strong bond, it's like that umbilical cord can never be cut," Bishop said on ESPN Cricinfo.

"I mean, unapologetically, we are," Rayudu replied.

"Ah, right. I wanted to ask that for the longest while—so now I’ve got my answer," Bishop stated.

"No, but we have a very good neutral face," Rayudu added.

Chennai Super Kings Struggling in IPL 2025 After Three Consecutive Defeats

Chennai Super Kings kicked off their IPL 2025 campaign with a strong win against traditional rivals Mumbai Indians. The revamped squad, led by Ruturaj Gaikwad, showed early promise. However, that momentum didn’t last long, as the Chennai team suffered back-to-back defeats in their following matches.

They lost to Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Rajasthan Royals, and Delhi Capitals, leaving CSK struggling in the bottom half of the points table. The team appears to be lacking rhythm and consistency. With their next match against Punjab Kings in Mullanpur on April 8, CSK will be desperate to get back on track.

MS Dhoni has mostly come in to bat at No. 7 or 8 since IPL 2024. One of the most surprising moments came this season when he walked out at No. 9 during a chase against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, raising eyebrows across the cricketing world.

Also read: Ambati Rayudu fires back after RCB fan page trolls him with 'missing' notice post CSK’s annihilation