“Only Dhoni Fans Are Real, Others Are Paid”: Harbhajan Singh Sparks Controversy with Comment Allegedly Targeting Kohli
Former Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has found himself at the center of a social media storm following a controversial statement he made during a pre-match discussion on JioStar, ahead of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) vs Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) clash in IPL 2025. The remark, seen by many as a veiled jibe at Virat Kohli, questioned the authenticity of fanbases outside of MS Dhoni’s.
Harbhajan’s Comment Stuns Fans
While discussing the significance of fan support in a player’s career, Harbhajan stated,
“He can play as long as he wants. Had it been my team, I would have made a different decision. Fans want him to play on. But I feel he has a real fan base — the rest are on social media, probably paid fans. Leave them out; if we start discussing that, it’ll go in a different direction.”
The tone and timing of the statement, made shortly before RCB’s home fixture, left viewers and cricket fans stunned. Former cricketer and panelist Aakash Chopra, taken aback by Harbhajan’s candor, joked, “You didn’t have to be that honest,” to which Harbhajan replied, “Someone had to.”
Fans React: Was It a Dig at Kohli?
Although Harbhajan did not name anyone directly, social media users quickly interpreted his comments as being aimed at Virat Kohli. The former India skipper had recently announced his retirement from Test cricket, triggering an outpouring of emotions and planned tributes from fans — especially during the RCB-KKR match, where thousands wore his No. 18 jersey to honor him.
This backdrop made the timing of Harbhajan’s statement even more controversial. Kohli’s supporters were quick to defend him, flooding platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram with rebuttals and demanding respect for their star.
Match Result Overshadowed
Ironically, the highly anticipated RCB-KKR game ended without a ball being bowled due to rain. Both teams shared points, with RCB climbing to the top of the IPL 2025 table. They now require just one more win in their final two matches to secure a playoffs berth. Meanwhile, the result officially knocked KKR out of contention.
As debate continues, Harbhajan Singh’s bold claim has reignited conversations around fan loyalty, online trends, and the ever-present Dhoni vs Kohli discourse in Indian cricket. Whether he meant to spark a fire or simply spoke his mind, the backlash is real — and growing.
