In an unusual twist during IPL 2025, singer Sonu Nigam has unexpectedly found himself at the receiving end of misplaced criticism from Royal Challengers Bengaluru supporters, following Indian cricket star Virat Kohli’s dismissal. Fans have erroneously mistaken him for cricketer Vipraj Nigam, the leg-spinner responsible for causing Virat’s early exit, having bowled him out for just 22 runs.
The dismissal occurred in the seventh over, significantly affecting RCB’s game. Attempting an ambitious inside-out shot, Virat mistimed the delivery, sending the ball towards long-off where Mitchell Starc executed a remarkable sliding catch, sealing Virat’s fate and dampening RCB’s spirits.
This confusion led to Sonu Nigam’s Instagram comments being inundated with messages from irate fans. A typical comment read, “Big fan sir, but kohli ko out nhi karna chahiye tha,” while another expressed outrage, “How dare you take Kohli’s wicket.”
The incident echoes a previous case involving Bollywood actor Arshad Warsi, who was similarly targeted by fans confusing him with Gujarat Titans bowler Arshad Khan. After Khan dismissed Kohli in a previous match, Warsi’s Instagram faced a barrage of misguided comments, such as one under a post featuring Ajay Devgn: “Kohli ko out kyun kiya” (Why did you dismiss Kohli?).
Sonu Nigam, renowned for hits like “Satrangi Re,” “Deewana,” and “Main Agar Kahoon,” now becomes an unlikely figure in cricket fan lore. The recurring mix-up highlights the spirited yet sometimes misguided enthusiasm of cricket supporters and raises questions about fan behavior in high-stake events.
The significance of these mistaken identities underlines the intense emotions tied to IPL matches, as fans intertwine cricket with broader cultural figures, influencing public discourse. With each instance, the line between celebrity and athlete continues to blur, making for captivating, albeit unintended, cricket narratives.
