The Indian Premier League (IPL) is not just about cricket; it’s about passion, loyalty, and rivalry. Some teams have massive fan bases, but with love also comes hate. Success, controversies, or even just dominance can make a team the most hated. Today our context about Most Hated IPL Team
Try Mumbai Indians (MI) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) the two teams that have won multiple IPL titles and has brought pride to their fans but also created haters who are tired of watching them win. Then there’s Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), a team with big names but no trophies, leading to constant trolling. Some teams are hated due to their owners, players’ attitudes, or past controversies.
But at the end of the day, love or hate , every team in IPL packs a punch, what is cricket without a little drama?
Why Are Some IPL Teams Hated?
Some clubs have been portrayed as unfit to play for in the past due to scandals. CSK and RR, for example, have been banned for two years over a betting scandal. It damages the name of the team and raises questions over their ethics. Throwing players in fights, or controversial umpiring decisions can only heighten the fume.
Strong Rivalries Fueling Hate
As a result well-managed teams like Mumbai Indians (MI) and CSK are quite famous in the Indian Premier League (IPL), winning various titles and getting hated by all the rival fans alike. Similarly Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) gets hate for having all the big players but never winning a title.
Fan Wars on Social Media
It’s an online battleground for all IPL fans. Fans of CSK and MI fight online on who’s the best. Fans of RCB get pooped for not having trophies. (If you look at it that way)Those debates on social media make some teams even worse.
Most Hated IPL Teams (Ranked)
Chennai Super Kings (CSK)
CSK is one of the most successful IPL teams, winning multiple titles. But their dominance has made rival fans frustrated. Some also dislike them because of their two-year ban due to a betting scandal. MS Dhoni’s cool attitude is loved by many, but some call CSK a “lucky team” that always gets favorable conditions.
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)
RCB have some of the biggest names in cricket ( Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers). Yet despite all that hype they have never won an IPL title. That is exactly what causes fans of other teams to hate them for. The massive support for RCB also leads to hate because their fans are sometimes considered overconfident.
Mumbai Indians (MI)
Mumbai Indians have the most IPL trophies, which is a adored and hated thing to say about them. Some might think they are not as respected as others, because they always buy the best players, while some might think they should be cursed.
Is Being Hated Actually Good for a Team?
Hate sometimes can be bad, but hatred in sports can be a good thing. And the more there is discussion of a team ( either positive or negative ) the more attention it gets. Controversy and rivalries and fan debate keep a team in the news.
How Controversies Bring Media Attention & Fan Engagement
When a team is hated, it gets more media coverage. Every decision, every match, and every controversy becomes news. Fans of rival teams stay engaged just to see them lose. This increases TV ratings, social media debates, and overall popularity.
Examples from Other Sports
Look at Real Madrid and Manchester United. These teams have millions of fans but millions of haters. They are accused of being the club that bought success, has special favors from referees or just being arrogant. But they are two of the most successful and valuable clubs in football because the haters fuel their brand making them even bigger.
Most Hated Players & Umpire Controversies
Because some players are loved by fans but others are hated by fans. And umpires is just one bad call and an entire fanbase hates you!
Top 10 Most Hated IPL Players & Why Fans Hate Them
Some IPL players have also become targets, not just for their skill-set but also for the controversies that they have indulged in, be it putting people off, sledging, or doling out insults, and fans can never get over Virat Kohli.
1. Gautam Gambhir
on-field escapades (especially with Kohli) have become an enemy to a lot of people.
2. Hardik Pandya
from getting laughed at for his egotism to finally making it as a real leader.
3. Rohit Sharma
Even though Rohit has won six IPL championships with Mumbai Indians, some fans think he is getting too much credit.
4. Ravichandran Ashwin
The fact that Ashwin “Mankad” Jos Buttler during the IPL 2019 made him one of the most hated cricketers.
5. David Warner
Warner is a fantastic player, but his aggressive celebrations (like the ball-tampering scandal) have made him a player some fans hate.
6. MS Dhoni
Dhoni has millions of fans but some people think that CSK gets special treatment from Dhoni because of them, and there’s even a potential excuse for haters to bullshit about him since he stormed onto the field in 2019 to fight with umpires.
7. Kieron Pollard
It is his on-field aggression and regular sledging that makes him a man whose fans are angered by.
8. Suresh Raina
Raina is a CSK legend, but some cricket fans feel he has been made as superstar because of his association with Dhoni and CSK, and not because of his success at the IPL level, something which also got him criticized.
9. KL Rahul
Rasul is very talented batsman but at times he struggles to bat with the ball and also in crucial matches people start to trolling him, especially when his team doesn’t do well.
5 Players Who Went from Most Hated to Most Loved in IPL
Over the years in the IPL, there is rarely a worse way to make a fan hate you than to love you. KL Rahul was once criticised for his slow stamina, but there are now no bad memories. Hardik Pandya and Rishabh Pant were initially mocked for their inconsistency, but since now both are match-winners. Even Ashwin, who got derided for the notorious ‘Mankading’, has become a hero with the games.
Fun & Controversial IPL Rankings
‘Most loved’ vs ‘most hated’ IPL teams – who tops the table?
Most Loyal: Chennai Super Kings (CSK) & Mumbai Indians (MI) Fans love these teams loads and they have been ruling the league for many years.
The Most Hated Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) & CSK: RCB gets hate over the fact that they have never won the trophy whereas CSK get heat for the controversy and former favoritism claims.
Top 5 Most Overrated IPL Teams (Performance vs Hype)
RCB – Big players, big hype, but zero trophies.
Delhi Capitals Never really come through as “the next big thing”.
Punjab Kings – Spends big but never reaches the top.
KKR – Two early titles & in 2024 they got their three ipl trophy.
SRH – Had one great season but has struggled after.
Most Toxic vs Most Loyal IPL Fanbases – Ranked!
Most Loyal: CSK & MI – The fans are loyal to them no matter what.
Most Toxic: RCB & KKR – Constant online battles, trolling, and hype wars.
Biggest Umpiring Controversie in IPL History
Every game of cricket is a slap in the face to fans. Unless of course one happens to utterly ruin a match. One of the most heartbreaking moments came in 2019 when MS Dhoni on a day when he seemed rather cool, took off to the field to fight with the umpires over a no ball! These decisions aren’t just controversial, they’re something else!
