Esteemed cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle has stirred up a social media storm with his recent comments contrasting the fans of two IPL teams, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)
In a tweet following his coverage of Qualifier 1 and the Eliminator in Chennai, Bhogle praised the hospitality of Chennai residents, describing them as “polite and welcoming.” However, his further comments about a “specific set of people” responsible for “toxicity and personal abuse” sparked speculation and controversy among his followers.
Harsha Bhogle comment on RCB fans goes viral as he calls them toxic, praises CSK fans on Twitter
While CSK fans showed gratitude for Bhogle’s kind words, others started questioning who he was indirectly accusing in the latter part of his tweet. The general consensus was that Bhogle was subtly pointing fingers at the RCB fanbase and supporters of cricketer Virat Kohli, who had previously criticized Bhogle for his comments on Kohli’s strike rate during IPL 2023.
In response to a fan named Ricky, who disagreed with his blanket judgment of an entire fandom, Bhogle clarified that he wasn’t directing his criticism at Bangalore as a city. In fact, he praised Bangalore, acknowledging it as the home to numerous esteemed sportspeople.
“Absolutely love Bengaluru, home to some of the most dignified sportspeople. GR Vishwanath, Prakash Padukone, BS Chandrasekhar, Rahul Dravid, Roger Binny, Anil Kumble, Javagal Srinath, the list is endless. Great city,” Bhogle stated. However, his clarification further confirmed that he did indeed aim his criticism at the RCB and Virat Kohli fans, whom he perceived as toxic.
Thank you Chennai. I met such polite and welcoming people. Such a stark and happy difference from the toxicity and personal abuse from a specific set of people in recent times.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) May 25, 2023
Not about a city at all Ricky. Absolutely love Bengaluru, home to some of the most dignified sportspeople. GR Vishwanath, Prakash Padukone, BS Chandrasekhar, Rahul Dravid, Roger Binny, Anil Kumble, Javagal Srinath, the list is endless. Great city. https://t.co/1Vfr7m8nSD
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) May 25, 2023
Harsha Bhogle gets backlash from RCB fans
Bhogle’s remarks didn’t sit well with the RCB fans who swiftly retaliated, launching a counterattack on the renowned commentator. His comments have sparked a wider conversation about fan behaviour in cricket, with many questioning the role of fans in shaping the public discourse around players and teams.
As the IPL 2023 season continues, this controversy underscores the tensions that can arise in the world of sports commentary and fandom. While Bhogle remains a respected figure in cricket commentary, it’s clear that his recent comments have struck a nerve with a significant portion of the IPL’s passionate fanbase.