Royal Challengers Bengaluru face backlash over launch of X account in Hindi

New Delhi: Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) has sparked controversy by launching a Hindi account on X, with some social media users accusing the IPL franchise of promoting Hindi at the expense of Kannada, the local language. However, another section of fans defended the decision, arguing that RCB’s diverse and global fan base necessitates catering to a wider audience, including Hindi-speaking supporters.

RCB, which already operates English and Kannada accounts on X, introduced a Hindi account on Sunday, quickly gaining over 2,500 followers. One of the account’s initial posts featured a video of star cricketer Virat Kohli expressing his excitement, in Hindi, about being retained by the franchise. The post’s caption announced that RCB’s videos would now be available in Hindi as well.

The comments section saw a wave of criticism directed at RCB for launching the Hindi handle. Many users accused the franchise of disrespecting Kannada culture, with some even suggesting that RCB should relocate to north India. Others demanded the removal of “Bengaluru” from the team’s name, questioning the necessity of creating a Hindi account.