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RCB's 'Ee Saala Cup Namde' reaches FIFA World Cup as France fan, Dinesh Karthik look-alike carries banner originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- RCB's iconic "Ee Saala Cup Namde" ("This year, the cup is ours") slogan was spotted at the FIFA World Cup in the USA.
- A France supporter resembling former RCB star and current batting coach Dinesh Karthik held up the banner in the stands.
- Karthik reacted to the post on X.
RCB's 'Ee Saala Cup Namde' reaches FIFA World Cup
For 18 years, "Ee Saala Cup Namde" ("This year, the cup is ours") symbolised hope for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) fans. The phrase echoed around stadiums every IPL season despite the franchise repeatedly falling short of the title.
Along the way, it became one of Indian cricket's most popular slogans. Rival fans often used it to mock it as RCB's inability to end their trophy drought, even with superstars like Virat Kohli leading the side.
Everything changed when RCB finally won their maiden IPL title in 2025, before successfully defending it in 2026. What was once a hopeful chant tinged with sarcasm is now a slogan backed by silverware, as the franchise chases a potential three-peat in 2027.
Now, the iconic phrase has travelled beyond Bengaluru, even beyond India, across the North Atlantic Ocean to Philadelphia, USA. During France's FIFA World Cup 2026 match against Paraguay in the Round of 16, a Les Blues supporter in the stands was spotted holding an "Ee Saala Cup Namde" banner.
The image caught the attention of former RCB wicketkeeper and current batting coach Dinesh Karthik. Yes, for the phrase but also because the person holding the banner appeared to hold a striking resemblance to star Indian cricketer and commentator himself.
MORE:New RCB owner Kumar Mangalam Birla eyes hat-trick of IPL titles after winning two trophies in a row
Dinesh Karthik reacts to a look-alike holding RCB banner at France vs. Paraguay
The viral image reached Karthik after an X user joked that the former Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) star was "repping" the franchise at the FIFA World Cup.
"@DineshKarthik repping @RCBTweets at the #FIFAWorldCup ," the post read.
Rather than denying the resemblance, the former India wicketkeeper played along with the joke, replying: "Yeah nice banner my friend
."MORE:Virat Kohli global star: WATCH NFL legend Tom Brady correctly predicts India icon's insane Instagram popularity
The Cricket News Opinion: RCB fans' 'Ee Saala Cup Namde' has outlived the jokes
A similar post two years ago, before RCB finally broke their IPL title drought, would have invited endless ridicule. The replies would have been flooded with jokes about "Ee Saala Cup Namde" and reminders that the franchise still had no trophy to show for its passionate support.
Those days are over. RCB have backed up their famous "Play Bold" motto by winning back-to-back IPL titles, while their supporters now wear the slogan with pride. Rival fans who once mocked them have little left to say now, except to acknowledge RCB's dominance in recent years and possibly for the near future.
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