Fans Lose It As Royal Challengers Bengaluru Taunt Chennai Super Kings with MS Dhoni Tag

Currently nursing a calf injury, MS Dhoni may return to the CSK lineup for their upcoming match against DC if he nears full fitness.

Fans Lose It As Royal Challengers Bengaluru Taunt Chennai Super Kings with MS Dhoni Tag

CSK fans were left enraged after RCB mocked MS Dhoni in a viral social media post. (via Khel Now)

In Short
  • RCB defeated CSK by 43 runs, marking their fourth consecutive win against the team.
  • A controversial social media post by RCB was perceived as mocking MS Dhoni, drawing backlash from fans.
  • Dhoni's absence due to injury has significantly impacted CSK's performance and leadership on the field.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru enjoyed a celebratory evening after comfortably beating arch-rivals Chennai Super Kings by 43 runs on Sunday. However, the win was followed by a social media uproar involving a controversial post from RCB, which was widely interpreted as mocking MS Dhoni.

The defending IPL champions have now won four consecutive matches against CSK, extending their successful run against the Men in Yellow at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium last night. RCB posted a massive first innings total of 250/3, thanks to knocks from Tim David (70* off 25), Devdutt Padikkal (50 off 29), Rajat Patidar (48* off 19), and Phil Salt (46 off 30). The home side then bowled out CSK for 207 to secure a win in the end.

With RCB now having decimated a struggling CSK side over the past two seasons, it has altered the balance in the rivalry, although the five-time IPL champions still lead the overall head-to-head record 21-14. Coming to Super Kings, apart from their batting and bowling woes, the team seemed to have been hit hard after missing out on the services of Dhoni and Dewald Brevis for the opening games. 

MS Dhoni is out of action for the first two weeks of IPL 2026 due to a calf strain, yet the victorious Royal Challengers appeared to mock him in a viral social media post. During CSK’s chase, RCB shared a clip of wicket-keeper Jitesh Sharma taking a sharp diving catch towards his right in the 10th over, which led to Shivam Dube’s dismissal. The post’s caption, “Ek tha jo wicket ke piche je…”, which translates to, “There was a player behind the stumps who used to…”, is a line closely associated with Dhoni’s skill-sets.

It was interpreted by CSK fans as a subtle jibe at the former India captain, well known for his sharp skills behind the stumps as well. Fans remember the veteran icon as someone who can change the outcome of a match from behind the stumps. RCB using this line for Jitesh Sharma has not gone down well with CSK supporters, criticizing the franchise for being disrespectful towards the 44-year-old cricketing great.

Meanwhile, MSD’s absence from the field created a noticeable deficit in the Chennai camp, particularly in terms of his on-field leadership. The timing of RCB’s social media post, coinciding with both the veteran’s absence and CSK’s poor run, has contributed to the intensity of the reactions. 

RCB’s viral social media post draws ire of Chennai fans

RCB’s social media handle allegedly took a subtle dig at CSK and MS Dhoni after securing a convincing 43-run victory over their southern rivals. The post, which saw RCB apparently mocking the legendary wicket-keeper batter’s presence behind the stumps, drew flak from fans on social media.

Fans on RCB post on MS Dhoni
Fans lashed out at RCB for making fun of CSK veteran MS Dhoni (Image via BCCI/X)

The rivalry between the two most popular IPL franchises has been enduring, with CSK having historically dominated the matchup. However, recent years have seen RCB close the gap significantly. Royal Challengers’ dramatic victory over the Super Kings in the final league-stage clash of the 2024 IPL season, which knocked the five-time IPL champions out, is considered by many as the ‘turning point’.

RCB’s latest jibe at Dhoni seems to be a take on the shifting momentum. CSK fans responded to the social media post by highlighting the team’s superior IPL record compared to RCB’s maiden title win after an 18-year drought. A few others labeled RCB as ‘chokers’ and ‘bottlers’. Another section of Chennai fans termed RCB as a ‘toxic’ franchise, reminiscing how Dhoni would often dominate the fixture in the past.

Fans also asserted that RCB’s Jitesh Sharma cannot be compared to Dhoni, who is the joint-most successful captain in the tournament’s history. They further criticized the 32-year-old’s recent form, noting that he had even been dropped from the Indian T20I team.

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