It is no secret that the IPL is all about fan culture and rivalries, and one of the most anticipated matchups of the event is right around the corner – Chennai Super Kings (CSK) is all set to take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the Chepauk stadium. With two of cricket’s biggest brands locking horns, it promises to be a spectacle. And more so a high-voltage clash between fanbases, intensified by social media—which is now a battleground for fans of the two icons: MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli.
A Rivalry that goes beyond the field
The last time CSK and RCB met, it was at the Chinnaswamy stadium where RCB sealed a thrilling victory to qualify for the playoffs. The outcome of the game also resulted in CSK bowing out of the tournament. RCB were euphoric after the win and the victory stung CSK fans. Social media was flooded with memes, poking fun at RCB about their celebrations. It was Yash Dayal who dismissed Dhoni in the last over, and that moment will still be fresh in fans’ memories.
The two franchises have started their season strong, both winning their respective opening games. While RCB outplayed Kolkata Knight Riders in their own backyard, CSK defeated Mumbai Indians, with a dismantling spell from Noor Ahmed.
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The Social Media War
While some IPL rivalries are defined by on-field battles and clashes, CSK versus RCB goes beyond that sphere. It also has a unique off-field dimension to it—mostly circling around Dhoni and Kohli. While CSK fans are ready for revenge, RCB fans are convinced that with a blazing performance, Kohli will bring about Dhoni’s farewell from IPL. It’s a war between two of the most passionate fan bases in cricket, fiercely defending their respective legends, MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli.
And no fan-war between the two icons is complete without comparing their captaincy. While RCB fans boast about their massive and loyal fan base without ever having won the title, CSK fans snap back by showing off their titles—five in total. RCB fans argue that Kohli is the greatest batter of the generation, while CSK fans counter with Dhoni’s legacy as a captain.
As the rivalry nears, hashtags like #ThalaForAReason and #KingKohli dominates the trending lists. Fans start digging up old videos, pictures and moments—some to fuel the fire, some to appreciate their heroes. Fan-made edits start flooding YouTube, romanticising past match-ups between the two teams. Some even turn into heated debates, with content creators fueling the narrative of an all-out war.
While the war on social media continues, the real action will still unfold at the Chepauk stadium, where CSK’s spin-heavy attack will take on RCB’s explosive batting. Both teams have been marred by injuries and there are availability issues—while Matheesha Pathirana is uncertain about his return, RCB’s Bhuvaneshwar Kumar too missed the first game of the season due to a minor injury. Ultimately, at Chepauk, it will be a battle of skill and fans will play a crucial role in backing their teams, despite the result.
Also Read: E Sala Cup Namde: The Eternal Love Story of an RCB Fan