Former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh sparked controversy with his comments on social media regarding the fan base of Indian cricketers, particularly comparing them to MS Dhoni. During a discussion at an IPL 2025 match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kolkata Knight Riders, Harbhajan suggested that Dhoni should continue playing for as long as he can, emphasizing his genuine fan base compared to other players who he claimed rely on “paid fans and PR.”
His remarks drew criticism on social media, with many interpreting them as a veiled dig at Virat Kohli. Former cricketer Aakash Chopra jokingly remarked that Harbhajan should not have been so blunt, to which Harbhajan responded confidently.
Meanwhile, the Bengaluru crowd paid tribute to Kohli, who recently announced his retirement from Test cricket, by wearing his No. 18 jersey at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. However, the match between RCB and KKR was washed out due to rain, resulting in Bengaluru earning one point and moving back to the top of the table.
Despite the tribute and rain interruption, Bengaluru still needs one more win to secure a playoff spot, while Kolkata has been eliminated from the tournament. The incident left fans divided and stirred up discussions on social media regarding player loyalty and fan support in cricket.
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