Royal Challengers Bengaluru has one of the most loyal fanbases in the world. Sugumar in particular exemplifies the point. You may have seen him on the screen in every RCB match, with a feathered headgear and face-painted crimson. On the eve of the IPL 2025 opening game between KKR and RCB. The franchise’s two superfans – Ashok and Sugumar – were in the stands, waving their flags, chanting their slogans and catching the attention of other fans. The two superfans are celebrities in their own right. As fans spotted them, they queued up to get pictures with the two.
Before team RevSportz shot a special video with the two, Sugumar walked with a glint in his eye—the reason? For the first time in his journey as a superfan, his picture had been featured on the RCB team bus. “Everyone keeps calling and telling me that it looks like I am leading the team because my picture is right next to Virat Kohli ” said Sugumar with a smile on his face. “It is an incredible honour, I am feeling so proud,” he added.
One of the most fascinating aspects about his journey is his outlandish costume, when asked about it, he said, “I got it custom made from the US, it takes me about 30 minutes every time to paint my face and the rest is a costume that was specially made and shipped to India.” Sugumar further explained, “It is a ritual, I have travelled all around the country and the recognition that I am getting now is because of the love of the fans. No matter where the team goes, RCB always pulls in a crowd.”
Apart from being featured on the RCB team bus alongside Kohli, Sugumar also recalled being featured in Steve Waugh’s book. “In Steve Waugh’s books, he spoke about Indian cricketers and fans. Waugh dedicated one page each to Indian cricketers but he dedicated two pages of his book to my story,” said Sugumar with a lighthearted laugh.
It is fascinating to think about how the two fans, Ashok and Sugumar have dedicated their lives to rallying around their favourite franchises and cheering them on. While in the stands, Ashok, the KKR superfan took off his cap, it took a second for everyone to realise what he was showing off—his new hairstyle. He has the words “Dil se KKR” shaved onto his head. Such is his love for the franchise.
At the end of the day, in a wholesome moment, when the two superfans were parting ways, Ashok gave Sugumar an affectionate hug and said, “I’m so happy to see your picture on the team bus, may you keep winning hearts” to which Sugumar replied, “it’s all because of the love of the fans”.
IPL may not be about serious cricket, but this is what it embodies—the never-ending love of the people for the game. Though divided by franchises, mottos, colours and states, the fans are united because of their passion, their frenzy and their love for their heroes.