RR admin revives Salman Khan meme to mock PBKS after knockout blow
A Dramatic Conclusion to the IPL 2026 Regular Season
The TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 has provided fans with endless entertainment, but the conclusion of match no. 69 between the Rajasthan Royals and the Mumbai Indians proved to be the ultimate turning point. By securing a dominant 30-run victory over the five-time champions, the Men in Pink not only cemented their own position in the playoffs but also officially ended the campaigns of the Punjab Kings (PBKS) and the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). In the aftermath of this high-stakes encounter, the RR admin revives Salman Khan meme to mock PBKS after knockout blow, turning the social media spotlight back onto a budding rivalry.
The Digital War of Words
The trolling incident traces back to a post shared by the Rajasthan Royals following their earlier victory over the Punjab Kings on April 28. During that initial exchange, the Royals had referenced a viral video featuring Bollywood actor Salman Khan, with Donovan Ferreira echoing the sentiment “Sorry Bhai, aaj nahi” while sitting beside his Player of the Match trophy. This lighthearted jab clearly struck a nerve.
Punjab Kings spinner Harpreet Brar had previously expressed his frustration, noting that the RR social media team had uploaded multiple reels specifically targeting his side. Brar had issued a bold warning at the time, suggesting that fortunes in cricket can shift rapidly. He famously remarked that if the Punjab Kings were to defeat the Royals, the “Dal Bhati Churma” would burn, and he would respond with equal intensity. Despite Brar’s defiance, the final results fell in favor of the Royals, leading to the latest round of digital mockery.
The Final Knockout Blow
Following their victory, the Royals’ social media team took things a step further. Referencing a previous tweet from PBKS where they had written, “Sorry bhai, aaj nahi!” after a loss to the Delhi Capitals, the Royals replied with a sharp, “Panga na lo (Don’t mess).” The mockery was further intensified with the use of a clip featuring actor Arjun Kapoor to rub salt into the wounds of the Punjab Kings, whose playoff fate ultimately rested on the outcome of the Mumbai Indians’ performance.
The social media banter has become a hallmark of the modern IPL, turning regular season matches into emotional rollercoasters for fans and players alike. As the Royals look ahead to their next challenge, the intensity of these exchanges serves as a testament to how competitive and personal the tournament has become.
Match Highlights: A Clinical Performance
On the field, the match was equally intense. Mumbai Indians won the toss and opted to bowl, a decision that initially seemed promising as Yashasvi Jaiswal was the standout performer for the Royals, contributing a quick-fire 27 runs. Despite an early wobble that saw Vaibhav Sooryawanshi and Riyan Parag depart cheaply, the Royals managed to stabilize their innings. A crucial 45-run partnership between Dhruv Jurel and Dasun Shanaka helped keep the momentum alive, despite a mix-up that resulted in Shanaka’s run-out.
Jofra Archer’s late-order heroics, scoring 32 runs, complemented by Jurel’s steady 38, allowed the Rajasthan Royals to post a competitive total of 205/8. In response, the Mumbai Indians faltered early, losing four wickets inside the powerplay. While Suryakumar Yadav played a valiant knock of 60 and Will Jacks contributed a brisk 33 off 18 balls, the target proved too steep. Hardik Pandya’s 34 runs were not enough to bridge the gap, as the Rajasthan Royals held their nerve to finish the game decisively.
Looking Ahead to the Eliminator
With this crucial win, the Rajasthan Royals have firmly secured their place in the playoffs. They are now set to face the Sunrisers Hyderabad in a high-stakes Eliminator. The atmosphere is electric as the Royals carry the momentum of their recent victory into the business end of the tournament. While the Punjab Kings will have to reflect on what could have been, the Rajasthan Royals have proven that they are a force to be reckoned with, both on the field and in the arena of social media engagement.
