In a thrilling culmination to an 18-year odyssey, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) finally clinched the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 title on June 3, sparking euphoria among fans, players, and team management alike. The victory, sealed with a nail-biting final against Punjab Kings at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, marked a historic moment for Virat Kohli and the franchise. However, amidst the celebrations, a controversy has emerged involving Siddharth Mallya, son of RCB’s former owner Vijay Mallya, whose attempt to share his joy was met with unexpected hurdles.
Siddharth, visibly emotional after RCB’s long-awaited triumph, posted a heartfelt video on Instagram capturing his reaction to the victory. The short clip featured broadcast footage of the match on a TV screen, alongside his personal commentary. “Eighteen long years… I don’t even know what to say,” he said in the now-removed video, his voice thick with emotion as he fought back tears. However, the celebration was short-lived as Instagram removed the video citing copyright infringement, and temporarily banned him from interacting on the platform.
On Monday, Siddharth took to Instagram again to share his side of the story, revealing a shocking twist. After investigating the matter, he discovered that the IPL authorities had lodged a complaint with Instagram, claiming that his video violated their copyright policies. “For some reason, Instagram decided to take the video down and proceeded to ban me from interacting on the app,” he explained in a follow-up post. “The ban was lifted yesterday, but it turns out the video was removed because the IPL complained. It’s absolutely nuts to me. The video was less than a minute long and was about my emotions and personal celebration. It’s sad that they took away my opportunity to interact with fans. I’m upset, and it’s disappointing on the part of the IPL.”
The incident has sparked a broader debate about the balance between copyright protection and personal expression in the digital age, especially during high-profile events like the IPL. RCB’s victory in IPL 2025, achieved under the captaincy of Virat Kohli with a staggering team performance—boasting a net run rate of +1.245 and Kohli’s record-breaking 973 runs in the season—has been a moment of collective pride for millions. Siddharth’s frustration highlights how even well-intentioned fan content can fall foul of strict regulations, leaving a bitter taste in what should have been a purely joyous occasion.
As the dust settles on RCB’s historic win, this controversy serves as a reminder of the evolving challenges in the intersection of sports, social media, and intellectual property rights. Will the IPL and BCCI reconsider their approach to fan engagement in light of such incidents? Only time will tell. For now, Siddharth Mallya’s candid outburst has added an unexpected layer to RCB’s IPL 2025 championship saga, proving that even in victory, not all is smooth sailing.