The Indian Premier League 2025 (IPL 2025) has been rife with drama, but a recent comment by former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh has taken the spotlight off the field.
During a discussion on Star Sports, the veteran off-spinner made a bold statement about MS Dhoni, the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) legend, and his unparalleled fan following.
MS Dhoni commands a fan following in Indian cricket that is nothing short of a cultural phenomenon. From the streets of Ranchi to the global stage, Dhoni’s supporters are renowned for their unwavering loyalty and emotional connection to the former Indian captain. In the IPL, CSK’s matches at are a testament to his cult-like following, with fans packing the stands, chanting "Dhoni! Dhoni!" even when he mostly bats for just a few deliveries.
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Harbhajan Singh Claims MS Dhoni’s Fanbase is the Only ‘Real’ One
Recently, MS Dhoni's fanbase was thrust into the spotlight by Harbhajan. He sparked controversy with a bold statement about the authenticity of Dhoni’s fanbase compared to others.
With debates swirling about whether Dhoni should continue playing in the IPL, Harbhajan not only endorsed the former’s longevity but also claimed that his fanbase is the only genuine one, dismissing others as largely driven by social media or even ‘paid’ supporters.
"He can play as long as he can. Had it been my team, I would have made a different decision. Fans will want him to continue playing. I feel he has a real fan base; the rest are all on social media, which are even paid fans. Leave them out, because if we start discussing that, the discussion will go in a different direction," said Harbhajan as quoted on Star Sports.
Co-panelist, former India opener Aakash Chopra quipped,
"Itna sach nahi bolna tha (You weren’t supposed to be this honest)."
Harbhajan’s statement has fueled a firestorm, particularly among fans of Virat Kohli, whose RCB supporters are equally passionate and visible, often clashing with CSK fans online.
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MS Dhoni Likely To Play IPL 2026
While it was expected that Dhoni might hang up his boots at the end of IPL 2025, the 43-year-old is likely to continue playing and will most likely feature in the next season.
Dhoni took over the leadership reins from Ruturaj Gaikwad after the latter got ruled out of the season due to an elbow injury. CSK’s fortunes did not change much under his captaincy as the franchise got eliminated from the playoff race, having won just three out of 12 matches so far.
Talking about his own form, Dhoni has scored 180 runs in 12 innings an average of 25.71 and a strike-rate of 140.63 this season.
Also read: "Fire Is Starting To Flicker" - Tom Moody Makes Massive Observation On MS Dhoni
