In a rivalry that ignites passion and often crosses the line, the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) clash has once again stirred controversy off the field. While CSK, the five-time IPL champions, have struggled over the past two seasons, including missing the playoffs in 2024 and an early exit in 2025, it’s the behavior of some fans that has drawn sharp criticism from former cricketer Robin Uthappa.
CSK, a powerhouse in the Indian Premier League, endured a challenging 2025 season, becoming the first team to be knocked out of playoff contention. Their underwhelming performance, following a lackluster 2024 campaign, has left fans frustrated. However, for Uthappa, who has represented both CSK and RCB during his IPL career, the recent actions of certain supporters have gone too far, overshadowing the spirit of the game.
Matches between CSK and RCB are known for their high-voltage drama, not just on the field but also in the stands. The latest incident occurred before the IPL 2025 season was temporarily suspended, when RCB clinched a thrilling victory over CSK to keep their playoff hopes alive. Ahead of this marquee clash, a group of RCB fans was spotted selling and wearing jerseys with the phrase ‘CSK in Jail’, a taunt referencing CSK’s two-year suspension from the IPL in 2016 and 2017 due to the spot-fixing scandal involving team management. Some fans even displayed white T-shirts with black stripes, symbolizing prison uniforms, with MS Dhoni’s iconic jersey number 7 and the word Thala printed on them, suggesting the team and its legendary captain were ‘behind bars’ during the ban.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Uthappa didn’t mince words, calling out this behavior as ‘unsavory’ and ‘beyond sport’. “It was pretty intense. Outside the stadium, fans were mocking the team and players as the CSK bus was leaving. I also saw fans fighting with each other, and worse, women being heckled. This is uncalled for. We’ve seen similar incidents in Chennai in the past, and it’s just not on,” he said. Uthappa expressed concern over the jerseys and T-shirts mocking the ban, stating, “They’re holding up white T-shirts with black lines, referencing the two years CSK were banned. They’ve written MS Dhoni’s number and ‘Thala’ on it. This is getting beyond sport, and it worries me because, at the end of the day, this is just a game.”
CSK’s struggles over the past two years have been well-documented. After winning the IPL title in 2021 under MS Dhoni’s captaincy, the team has failed to replicate that success. The 2016-17 ban, which stemmed from the actions of former team principal Gurunath Meiyappan, remains a dark chapter in the franchise’s history, even though they returned stronger, clinching two titles post-suspension. However, using this past incident as a tool for mockery, especially targeting a figure like Dhoni—often regarded as ‘Captain Cool’ and one of the most respected cricketers globally—has sparked debates about fan culture in the IPL.
Meanwhile, on the field, RCB has taken a significant step toward securing a playoff spot in IPL 2025. With an impressive tally of 17 points from 12 matches, they currently sit atop the points table, ahead of second-placed Gujarat Titans with 16 points. A win in either of their remaining two fixtures—against the already-eliminated Sunrisers Hyderabad on May 23 at home or Lucknow Super Giants on May 27 away—will confirm their place in the knockout stages. In contrast, defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) were knocked out after persistent rain washed out their recent clash, forcing a shared point that ended their campaign.
As the IPL 2025 season progresses, the focus should ideally return to the cricket, where rivalries are settled with bat and ball. Yet, Uthappa’s passionate plea serves as a reminder that the spirit of sport must prevail over personal jibes and divisive fan behavior. CSK may be down, but their legacy, led by the indomitable MS Dhoni, remains untarnished. And for fans on both sides, it’s time to channel that fiery passion into cheering for their teams, not tearing others down.