Harbhajan Singh's Comments Spark Controversy Over Virat Kohli's Fanbase

Former cricketer Harbhajan Singh has stirred controversy with remarks perceived as a critique of Virat Kohli's fanbase. During a chat show, he praised MS Dhoni's supporters as genuine while suggesting that many of Kohli's fans are manufactured, particularly on social media. This sparked widespread speculation online, especially following Kohli's recent retirement from Test cricket, which has left fans emotional and urging him to reconsider. The discussion has ignited debates about loyalty and authenticity among cricket fans.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 18, 2025, 14:57 IST

Harbhajan Singh's Remarks Ignite Debate

Former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh has ignited a discussion with remarks that many perceived as a veiled critique of Virat Kohli's supporters.

In a recent episode of a chat show on JioStar, Harbhajan stated, "Play as long as you can while you still have the energy. If I were in charge of my team, I might have made a different choice."

He went on to commend MS Dhoni's fanbase, asserting, "It's simple; fans will always want him to play because they are true supporters. I believe that the Chennai Super Kings have the most authentic fans. The others seem to be manufactured, especially on social media, where many are paid followers. His fans are genuine. We can discuss the numbers you see elsewhere later."

He further commented, "MS Dhoni has performed decently this season, nothing extraordinary but good enough."

Aakash Chopra, another former cricketer present during the discussion, remarked to Harbhajan, "You might have been too honest with your words."

Harbhajan's statements have led to considerable speculation online, with numerous fans suggesting that he was alluding to Virat's supporters.

Recently, Virat Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket, which elicited a strong emotional response from fans. During a rain-affected match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Kolkata Knight Riders in Bengaluru, many fans donned Test jerseys in a heartfelt tribute, urging the 36-year-old to reconsider his retirement.