Harbhajan Singh’s Bold Claim: MS Dhoni Has Real Fans, Others Have Paid Bots

Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh has found himself at the center of a social media storm after making a bold remark that many believe was a veiled dig at Virat Kohli. The comment, which came during a Star Sports panel discussion, stirred strong reactions online, with fans accusing Harbhajan of downplaying Kohli’s massive popularity and loyal fan base. The incident unfolded ahead of Royal Challengers Bengaluru's IPL 2025 home game against Kolkata Knight Riders at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. While discussing MS Dhoni’s future in the IPL, Harbhajan not only backed the Chennai Super Kings icon to continue playing but also sparked debate with his opinion on fan loyalty in Indian cricket. “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,” Harbhajan said. The statement quickly went viral, with many interpreting it as a slight at Kohli, especially considering the timing Kohli was set to play his first match since announcing his sudden retirement from Test cricket just days earlier on May 12. Fellow commentator and former cricketer Aakash Chopra, taken aback by the bluntness of Harbhajan’s words, responded with a quip of his own: “Itna sach nehi bolna tha (You weren’t supposed to be this honest),” to which Harbhajan replied, “Someone had to.” Harbhajan’s comments on Dhoni, though overshadowed by the fan base controversy, also drew interest. Reacting to reports that Dhoni might extend his IPL career by another season, the former off-spinner offered his own perspective. “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,” Harbhajan said, highlighting the unmatched loyalty Dhoni enjoys among supporters. The debate around Harbhajan’s comments has highlighted the complex dynamics of fan loyalty in cricket, particularly in the digital age. While Dhoni’s fan base is often praised for its unwavering support, the notion of paid social media bots has become a contentious issue, especially in the context of high-profile cricketers like Kohli. In the world of professional cricket, where social media plays a crucial role in fan engagement and player popularity, Harbhajan’s remarks have sparked a broader conversation about the authenticity of fan support and the role of digital platforms in shaping public opinion.