Former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) batter Subramaniam Badrinath found himself at the center of playful fan banter during a recent Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) match. Popular for his devotion to CSK, Badrinath has traditionally been loud about his allegiance to the five-time IPL title winners and has in the past taken good-natured shots at Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for their extended run of not winning an IPL title.

Badrinath, who was with CSK from the 2008 season until 2013, was an important member of the side during its golden period, where he contributed to back-to-back IPL winning seasons in 2010 and 2011. He also lifted the Champions League Twenty20 title in 2010 with them, and he was a decorated member of the CSK early success story. Badrinath was a pleasant presence in the middle order, and he was a reliable performer under Dhoni's captaincy.

But on the day of the TNPL game, a group of RCB supporters chose to troll the ex-CSK legend, reminding him of RCB's recent victory in the 2025 IPL title. In good humor, Badrinath acknowledged the trolling and chanting by giving a thumbs-up, indicating he had taken the good-natured jibes sportingly. The moment soon went viral on social media, with supporters from both sides sharing the clip extensively.

A sporting response from a seasoned campaigner

Badrinath's act was applauded as an exercise in sportsmanship, and everyone admired the manner in which he responded to the trolling. Even in the intense CSK-RCB rivalry that exists, his cheerful and calm response brought forth the common respect and enjoyment that make up much of cricket culture in India. His thumbs-up did not just accept RCB's long-sought victory but also reflected grace and maturity.

Watch the video here

Here's the video of his humiliation.😂🤣 https://t.co/ePQ2crclkX pic.twitter.com/HmDbYRROMz

— ꪜ𝐢𝐧𝐨 (@vinoo_96) June 10, 2025

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As fan rivalries define the IPL storyline, these kinds of moments remind us of the good-natured aspect of the game. While Badrinath is a CSK die-hard, his encounter with RCB supporters at the TNPL reflected the camaraderie and respect that make cricket more than a sport.