As IPL 2025 resumes with a high-stakes clash between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kolkata Knight Riders, former cricketer Robin Uthappa has called out a troubling trend among RCB fans—crossing the line between rivalry and disrespect.

Former India batter Robin Uthappa, who has represented both RCB and CSK during his IPL career, has now turned commentator and cricket analyst. While he’s known for his calm demeanor, Uthappa couldn’t hide his frustration this time. Ahead of the crucial match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kolkata Knight Riders, Uthappa lashed out at RCB fans for harassing women and trolling CSK players, including MS Dhoni, in a derogatory manner.

RCB-CSK Rivalry Crosses the Line?

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Uthappa recounted a disturbing experience from the recent RCB vs CSK match at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. He accused a section of RCB fans of targeted harassment and misbehavior, which went far beyond acceptable fan rivalry.

"They were mocking CSK’s two-year ban with white T-shirts that had black stripes. They even printed Dhoni’s jersey number with 'Thala' written underneath, suggesting he had been in jail. That’s not banter—that’s just offensive,” Uthappa said.

He further revealed that female fans were harassed outside the stadium after CSK’s loss—a situation that has deeply angered him.

"I saw women being harassed. That made me really uncomfortable. It's not just about cricket anymore. Things are getting out of hand," he added.

Uthappa also mentioned that such fan behavior was witnessed in Chennai last year, but seeing it again in Bangalore, especially in such an aggressive form, is worrying.

"It’s Just a Game" — A Reminder to Fans

Cricket, especially the IPL, has always been about passionate support. The intense rivalry between RCB and CSK, led by Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni, respectively, has been one of the defining storylines of the tournament. But as Uthappa pointed out, there’s a fine line between passion and toxicity.

“We all love our teams. But trolling players with personal jabs or harassing other fans is unacceptable. This is not the spirit of cricket,” he stated firmly.

Uthappa’s message was clear: it’s time to bring back respect and sportsmanship into the stadiums, especially when young fans and families are part of the crowd.

The On-Field Picture: RCB Rising, CSK Struggling

On the cricketing front, RCB is flying high. With 8 wins in 11 matches, Rajat Patidar’s side is inching closer to a playoff spot. Their resurgence has been impressive and fueled by consistent performances. In contrast, CSK’s campaign has hit a rough patch. The defending champions have already been knocked out of the tournament and suffered defeats in both league matches against Bangalore.

Dhoni’s form and the team’s fading chances have led to increased trolling online—a trend that Uthappa feels is only making things worse.

Conclusion: A Wake-Up Call for IPL Fans?

Robin Uthappa’s strong words have sparked a conversation ahead of one of the season’s most anticipated matches. While rivalries make the IPL exciting, fans must remember the boundary between support and abuse. Harassment—especially of women—is a serious issue and has no place in sports.

With packed stadiums and millions watching, the true spirit of cricket lies not just in winning but in how we treat each other off the field. Let’s not forget that.