IPL 2020: RCB fans unimpressed with new anthem over lack of Kannada and more of Hindi

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) enjoy one of the most loyal fanbases in sport, let alone the Indian Premier League (IPL). Over the years, fans have thronged to the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, painting the iconic stadium red, regardless of the team’s performances.

As it turns out, a section of fans are not happy with RCB over their new theme song, which is predominantly in Hindi and English. The fans argue that there should have been more Kannada, considering the team is based out of Bengaluru.

RCB unveiled their new theme song for IPL 2020 on Friday, a day ahead of the season opener between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings. IPL 2020 will be played in the UAE this year in front of empty stands from September 19 to November 10.

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“The Official RCB Anthem is here! And it’s dedicated to the best fans in the world. Time to crank up the volume to the maximum, 12th Man Army,” RCB said while unveiling their new theme song.

Here is how a section of fans reacted to the new theme song of the Virat Kohli-led side. Former India pacer Dodda Ganesh pointed out that there could have more usage of Kannada in the anthem.

??????????. ???? ????? ???? ????? ???????? ????? ???????????? @RCBTweets #IPL2020 https://t.co/3cDjBhzKyA

— ????? ????? | Dodda Ganesh (@doddaganesha) September 18, 2020

Screengrab from Twitter

Screengrab from Twitter

Screengrab from Twitter

On the other side, some of the fans are urging RCB to come up with a local version of the anthem. A few have even pointed out that some of the biggest football clubs have a separate English page on social media while also focusing on their local language.

Screengrab from Twitter

RCB will begin their IPL 2020 campaign against Sunrisers Hyderabad in Dubai on September 21. Captain Virat Kohli, on Thursday, promised there won’t be a dip in intensity despite playing without fans in the UAE and the RCB stars are playing the tournament to put smiles on their fans’ faces.

“All of us have thought about playing in empty stadiums and I am sure it would be a strange feeling and different from what we have experienced in the past and I won’t deny that. But that feeling has changed a little bit after having gone through a lot of training sessions and a couple of practice games,” Kohli said.

“At the end of the day you just need to understand why you started playing the game, you started playing for the love of it. Now you have a chance to represent that love when the whole world is watching. That will bring a lot of joy to the people.”

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