WATCH: Robin Uthappa criticizes RCB and CSK fans over unruly behaviour
The 2025 Indian Premier League season that had been temporarily suspended due to escalating political tensions between India and Pakistan is set to return. May 17 will see the resumption of the tournament with a much-awaited clash between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), two of the most popular franchises in the league.
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Even as the cricketing activity is all set to resume, there has been concern expressed by former Indian cricketer Robin Uthappa over a concerning trend off the field — the increasing toxicity of IPL fan bases, especially those of RCB and Chennai Super Kings (CSK).
In a recent conversation with cricket commentator Jarrod Kimber on his YouTube channel, Uthappa made concerning personal insights into the growing animosity between opposing fans. Having worn jerseys of both CSK and RCB in his playing career, Uthappa was dismayed at the way friendly banter of the past has escalated into violent and unacceptable attitude.
He recounted moments in which players were jeered by fans as team buses left, terming such actions as "in bad taste." More disturbing incidents involved fights between opposing supporters, with Uthappa having watched women being jeered — an act he termed as "unsavory" and totally unacceptable.
Watch the video here:
RCB - CSK fans going too far.
— Robbie Uthappa (@robbieuthappa) May 17, 2025
Passionate fans fuel cricket, but some go too far, fighting, mocking players, heckling others. Seen it with many teams, same last year.
Watch the full video here:https://t.co/CeVyVnfUnN pic.twitter.com/eW3Ci6ENGM
Also read: This might finally be the year' - Former CSK legend backs RCB to go distance in IPL 2025
Uthappa condemns ridicule of CSK's history of suspension
Uthappa expressed concern over fans using symbolic gestures to insult CSK, referring to a trend where individuals held up white T-shirts marked with black lines to mock the franchise’s two-year suspension. Some even went as far as writing MS Dhoni’s jersey number along with the word “Thala” to suggest imprisonment, an act Uthappa found deeply disrespectful. He cautioned that the gestures are taking fan competition beyond the sport, noting that cricket must continue to be a celebration of competition, not a stage for personal attacks.
"It has become rather intense. They are holding up jerseys, white shirts with black lines inscribed on them saying the two years that CSK had been banned for. They have written MS' number on it somehow and Thala below it, showing that they had been in prison for two years or something. It's getting a bit more than sport which worries me. Because at the end of the day, this is a sport," said Uthappa.
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