RCB fans stir up rivalry with 'jail jersey' trolling CSK ahead of Chinnaswamy showdown

Pic: X/AFP

As IPL 2025 heats up, the upcoming match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Chennai Super Kings promises to be more than just another contest for points.

A few visuals surfaced on social media showing RCB fans distributing a never-seen-before CSK jersey intended to mock the five-time IPL champions. The jersey, black and white in color, features the years '2016-17', which correspond to the two seasons CSK were suspended from the IPL due to the spot-fixing scandal.

While Mid-Day could not verify the authenticity of these visuals, numerous social media users have suggested that these jerseys are being sold outside the Chinnaswamy Stadium ahead of the match.

Interestingly, this is also widely seen as a response to the CSK fans' taunts during RCB's recent visit to Chepauk, where they mockingly distributed red-coloured lollipops. The phrase 'Ee Sala Cup Lollipopu', meaning 'This year, the cup is ours', was used by CSK fans, making fun of RCB's war cry, 'Ee Sala Cup Namde', which translates to 'This year, the cup is ours'.

RCB, meanwhile, find themselves with a provisional playoff berth within reach, while CSK, who have already been knocked out of the playoff race, are desperately in need of a morale-boosting win. However, beyond the team objectives, this match holds the potential for a historic encounter, as Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni, two of the biggest icons in Indian cricket, face off once again, possibly for the final time in the IPL.

From a strategic standpoint, RCB can extend their tally to 16 points with a victory, a position that would make their qualification for the playoffs nearly secure, with three matches still to play. On the other hand, a win for CSK, though unlikely to secure their spot in the qualifiers, would help them gain some much-needed momentum. It would also enable them to finish somewhere in the mid-table, avoiding the embarrassment of finishing last in the standings.