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

Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh’s recent comments about MS Dhoni’s fan base have sparked a social media controversy, drawing strong reactions from fans and fellow cricketers.

Ms DhoniVirat KohliHarbhajan SinghIplCricket FansReal Estate NewsMay 18, 2025

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

Real Estate News: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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did Harbhajan Singh say about MS Dhoni’s fan base? A: Harbhajan Singh said that MS Dhoni has a real fan base, while the rest are on social media, which are even paid fans. Q: When did Virat Kohli announce his retirement from Test cricket? A: Virat Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket on May 12, 2025. Q: What was Aakash Chopra’s reaction to Harbhajan’s comments? A: Aakash Chopra responded with a quip, saying, 'Itna sach nehi bolna tha (You weren’t supposed to be this honest).' Harbhajan replied, 'Someone had to.' Q: What is the main controversy surrounding Harbhajan’s statements? A: The main controversy is that many fans and observers interpreted Harbhajan’s comments as a veiled dig at Virat Kohli’s fan base, suggesting that Kohli’s popularity is partly due to paid social media bots. Q: How did Harbhajan Singh’s comments affect the discussion about MS Dhoni’s future in the IPL? A: Harbhajan’s comments on Dhoni’s future were overshadowed by the fan base controversy, but he did express his support for Dhoni to continue playing as long as he can, highlighting the strong fan loyalty Dhoni enjoys.

Answer not available

Tags:

Related News Articles

Real Estate

Hampton Sky Realty Unveils Luxury Hotel Project with Top Brands

Real Estate News - Hampton Sky Realty partners with top luxury hotel brands to develop a state-of-the-art luxury hotel, promising a new standard for luxury accommodation in the region.

June 23, 2024

Read Article

Real Estate Mumbai

Revolutionizing Property Valuation: Magicbricks Unveils PropWorth

Get accurate property valuations with Magicbricks' AI-powered PropWorth tool, covering 30 cities and 50,000 projects

July 9, 2024

Read Article

real estate news

Macrotech Developers Sees 20% Surge in Q1 Sale Bookings to Rs 4030 Crore Amidst Strong Housing Demand

Macrotech Developers has reported a 20% growth in Q1 sale bookings to Rs 4030 crore, driven by strong housing demand. The company plans to launch 17 new projects and 7 new phases in existing projects across Mumbai, Pune, and Bengaluru.

July 13, 2024

Read Article

Real Estate Mumbai

Dawood Ibrahim's Brother Refused Bail in Money Laundering Case

A special court denied bail to underworld don Dawood Ibrahim's brother Iqbal Kaskar in a money laundering case, citing a thorough probe is necessary to ensure innocent persons are not booked.

July 29, 2024

Read Article

Real Estate

Kadapa TD Chief Shivakonda Reddy Attacked Over Real Estate Clashes

Anantapur: Real estate disputes have come to light as the primary reason behind the attack on Shivakonda Reddy, the Kadapa TD town president, who was assaulted by five individuals in Kadapa town on October 19.

October 23, 2024

Read Article

Real Estate Maharashtra

Congress Announces Third List of 16 Candidates for Maharashtra Assembly Elections

The Congress party has unveiled its third list of 16 candidates for the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections, including notable names like Sachin Sawant and Manikrao Thakare.

October 28, 2024

Read Article