<p>Given the contrasting fortunes of <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tags/royal-challengers-bangalore">Royal Challengers Bengaluru</a> and Chennai Super Kings this season — which has somewhat stripped the heavyweight status of the marquee IPL clash — one felt the atmosphere at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium would be relatively subdued.</p>.<p>It was not to be, as the venue was bathed in a sea of red and blue, as well as yellow — fans from both sides giving the box-office clash its usual festive look. Such was the enthusiasm that the stadium was packed to the rafters almost 45 minutes before the scheduled start time of 7.30 pm.</p>.<p>Almost two hours prior to the clash, the central business district area was choc-a-bloc, with fans getting their faces painted and jersey sellers — both CSK and RCB — making a killing. For every #PlayBold buyer, there was a #WhistlePodu taker too.</p>.IPL 2025 | A royal renaissance.<p>While it isn’t surprising to see RCB fans turn up in numbers to cheer their team — which is playing phenomenal cricket and closing in on a play-off spot — the presence of the huge Yellow Army brigade is what caught the eye. Despite the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicting light-to-moderate rain towards the evening, people came ready to brave a sudden spell, if at all. Traffic came to a grinding halt at several junctions around the CBD, with congestion spilling into arterial roads as well. Merchandise, including jerseys and caps, could be seen on sale all around Queen’s Road, MG Road, and Church Street. A few creative jerseys were also sported by fans, prompting some fun banter between them.</p>.<p>CSK, enduring one of their worst seasons, are perched at the bottom of the table and have already crashed out of the knock-out race. However, despite the empire crumbling, the aura of MS Dhoni is still alluring for many. “Yes, the team is playing pathetic cricket, but I’ve come to see MSD. This could be the last time I see him playing, and I wanted to capture that moment,” said a fan.</p>.<p>RCB fans celebrated their long-awaited good season while hoping for another win on Saturday. “I don’t want to jinx it, but it has been a good season for us. Today, I hope rain does not play spoilsport and we win the game,” said Prakash A, an RCB fan waiting outside the stadium with his four friends.</p>.<p>Even as RCB fans — in their red and blue jerseys and unusual horns — took over the streets, CSK fans in their bright yellow were hard to miss. “Although we have been eliminated, it is important for us as this might be the last season for MS Dhoni,” said Rahul, a CSK supporter.</p>
<p>Given the contrasting fortunes of <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tags/royal-challengers-bangalore">Royal Challengers Bengaluru</a> and Chennai Super Kings this season — which has somewhat stripped the heavyweight status of the marquee IPL clash — one felt the atmosphere at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium would be relatively subdued.</p>.<p>It was not to be, as the venue was bathed in a sea of red and blue, as well as yellow — fans from both sides giving the box-office clash its usual festive look. Such was the enthusiasm that the stadium was packed to the rafters almost 45 minutes before the scheduled start time of 7.30 pm.</p>.<p>Almost two hours prior to the clash, the central business district area was choc-a-bloc, with fans getting their faces painted and jersey sellers — both CSK and RCB — making a killing. For every #PlayBold buyer, there was a #WhistlePodu taker too.</p>.IPL 2025 | A royal renaissance.<p>While it isn’t surprising to see RCB fans turn up in numbers to cheer their team — which is playing phenomenal cricket and closing in on a play-off spot — the presence of the huge Yellow Army brigade is what caught the eye. Despite the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicting light-to-moderate rain towards the evening, people came ready to brave a sudden spell, if at all. Traffic came to a grinding halt at several junctions around the CBD, with congestion spilling into arterial roads as well. Merchandise, including jerseys and caps, could be seen on sale all around Queen’s Road, MG Road, and Church Street. A few creative jerseys were also sported by fans, prompting some fun banter between them.</p>.<p>CSK, enduring one of their worst seasons, are perched at the bottom of the table and have already crashed out of the knock-out race. However, despite the empire crumbling, the aura of MS Dhoni is still alluring for many. “Yes, the team is playing pathetic cricket, but I’ve come to see MSD. This could be the last time I see him playing, and I wanted to capture that moment,” said a fan.</p>.<p>RCB fans celebrated their long-awaited good season while hoping for another win on Saturday. “I don’t want to jinx it, but it has been a good season for us. Today, I hope rain does not play spoilsport and we win the game,” said Prakash A, an RCB fan waiting outside the stadium with his four friends.</p>.<p>Even as RCB fans — in their red and blue jerseys and unusual horns — took over the streets, CSK fans in their bright yellow were hard to miss. “Although we have been eliminated, it is important for us as this might be the last season for MS Dhoni,” said Rahul, a CSK supporter.</p>