RR admin revives Salman Khan meme to mock PBKS after knockout blow
The Playoff Push and Social Media Warfare
In the high-stakes environment of the TATA Indian Premier League 2026, the battle on the field is often matched by the intensity of the engagement on social media. Following a pivotal match (no. 69) where the Rajasthan Royals dismantled the Mumbai Indians to secure their playoff berth, the franchise’s digital team wasted no time in settling an old score. The Rajasthan Royals, known for their witty and sometimes provocative online presence, ensured that their qualification also served as a final nail in the coffin for the Punjab Kings’ fading hopes.
As the dust settled on the qualification scenarios that ended both the Punjab Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders’ campaigns, the RR admin revives Salman Khan meme to mock PBKS after knockout blow. This wasn’t merely a celebration of their success; it was a calculated retort to previous exchanges that had simmered throughout the season.
The History of the “Sorry Bhai” Saga
The roots of this digital rivalry date back to April 28, following a match between RR and PBKS. On that occasion, the Royals initially used a video of Donovan Ferreira—sporting his Player of the Match trophy—to channel a viral line from Bollywood superstar Salman Khan: “Sorry bhai, aaj nahi” (Sorry, brother, not today). The Punjab Kings had previously utilized similar phrasing after a win against the Delhi Capitals, and the Royals’ iteration served as a direct jab at their rivals.
Harpreet Brar, the Punjab Kings’ left-arm spinner, had previously expressed his frustration regarding these tactics. Brar noted that the constant barrage of reels and posts from the Rajasthan camp was not going unnoticed. He had warned the Royals that fortunes in the IPL are transient and that the Punjab Kings would eventually have their moment to respond in kind, even going so far as to suggest that the popular Rajasthani dish “Dal Bhati Churma” would metaphorically “burn” should the Punjab Kings manage to get the upper hand in future encounters.
The Knockout Blow and the Meme Response
Fast forward to the final stages of the league, and the Punjab Kings found their fate in the hands of the Mumbai Indians. MI needed to win, and their failure to do so officially eliminated PBKS. Once the path to the playoffs was confirmed for Riyan Parag’s side, the Royals’ social media team struck again. They posted a video featuring actor Arjun Kapoor to take a final, humorous dig at the Punjab side that had been anxiously awaiting a MI victory to keep their own dreams alive.
The caption “Panga na lo” (Don’t mess) was the cherry on top, reinforcing the franchise’s dominance in both the standings and the social media arena.
Match Recap: How the Royals Secured Their Spot
The match itself was a gripping affair. Mumbai Indians won the toss and elected to field, hoping to restrict the Royals. Yashasvi Jaiswal provided an explosive start with 27 runs, but the momentum stumbled as Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Riyan Parag fell early. A middle-order recovery led by Dhruv Jurel (38) and Jofra Archer (32), despite the unfortunate run-out of Dasun Shanaka, propelled the Royals to a competitive total of 205/8.
The Mumbai Indians’ chase never truly gained the required traction. After losing four wickets within the power play, the efforts of Suryakumar Yadav, who scored a brilliant 60, and Will Jacks (33 off 18 balls) were not enough to overcome the disciplined bowling attack of the Royals. Hardik Pandya contributed 34, but the target proved too steep, and the Royals held their nerve to win by 30 runs.
With this victory, the Rajasthan Royals have now set their sights on the Eliminator, where they are scheduled to face the Sunrisers Hyderabad. The team’s form, paired with the confidence radiating from their digital presence, suggests that they are not looking to slow down anytime soon. While the Punjab Kings head back to the drawing board, the Royals remain the talk of the town—both for their performance on the pitch and their unapologetic banter off it.
