RR admin revives Salman Khan meme to mock PBKS after knockout blow
A Dramatic Turn of Events in the IPL 2026
The TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 reached a fever pitch during match number 69. In a high-stakes reverse fixture, the Rajasthan Royals took on the five-time champions, the Mumbai Indians. The Men in Pink displayed clinical precision, securing a 30-run victory that not only solidified their standing in the tournament but also effectively ended the playoff campaigns for both the Punjab Kings (PBKS) and the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). As the dust settled, the social media landscape became the secondary battleground, where the RR admin revives Salman Khan meme to mock PBKS after knockout blow.
The Digital Rivalry Explained
The banter between the two franchises has been a recurring theme throughout the season. The latest jab was a direct response to a previous interaction where the Punjab Kings had tweeted, ‘Sorry bhai, aaj nahi! (Sorry, brother, not today)’ following their victory over the Delhi Capitals. The Rajasthan Royals, seizing the moment after their own qualification, retorted with a clip featuring Bollywood star Arjun Kapoor, accompanied by the caption ‘Panga na lo (Don’t mess).’
This digital feud traces back to April 28, when the Rajasthan Royals first utilized a viral clip of Donovan Ferreira referencing a Salman Khan catchphrase, ‘Sorry Bhai, aaj nahi,’ while holding his Player of the Match trophy. The persistent mockery did not sit well with the Punjab Kings’ camp. Harpreet Brar, the left-arm spinner, had previously expressed his frustration, noting that the Royals’ penchant for creating reels targeting the Punjab Kings was becoming excessive. Brar had issued a cautionary warning, suggesting that the fortunes of a season can change in an instant, and that the Punjab Kings would eventually have their moment to respond on the field.
The Match Context: How the Royals Secured Their Spot
The path to the playoffs for Rajasthan was paved through a gritty team performance against the Mumbai Indians. Mumbai won the toss and elected to field, hoping to restrict the Royals on a surface that promised runs. Yashasvi Jaiswal provided a quick spark with a 27-run cameo, though his opening partner, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, struggled to find his rhythm, departing for just four runs. Riyan Parag also fell early, contributing only 14 runs to the total.
The innings required stabilization, which came in the form of a 45-run partnership between Dhruv Jurel and Dasun Shanaka. Despite looking set for a big score, Shanaka was unfortunately run out after a mix-up, ending his contribution at 29. Jofra Archer, showing his utility with the bat, provided a crucial late-order surge by scoring 32, while Dhruv Jurel anchored the innings with a composed 38. Rajasthan finished their 20 overs at 205/8, setting a formidable target for the Mumbai Indians.
The Mumbai Indians Chase
Chasing 206, the Mumbai Indians faced immediate pressure, losing four wickets within the powerplay. The chase seemed to be slipping away before Suryakumar Yadav and Will Jacks attempted a heroic recovery. Jacks provided a rapid 33 off 18 balls, and Suryakumar Yadav put on a masterclass, scoring 60 runs. Captain Hardik Pandya added 34, but the early collapse proved too significant to overcome. Mumbai fell short, handing the win to Rajasthan.
The Aftermath
With this result, Riyan Parag’s side has officially qualified for the playoffs, where they are scheduled to face the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the Eliminator. The Punjab Kings, who had their fate tied to the outcome of the Mumbai Indians’ performance, are now left to reflect on a season of ‘what ifs.’ The playful, albeit stinging, social media activity from the Royals serves as a reminder of how high tensions run in the IPL. Whether this rivalry carries over into the next season remains to be seen, but for now, the Rajasthan Royals hold the bragging rights, both on the scoreboard and on the timeline.
