RCB Released New Kannada Version Of The Anthem After Uproar From Fans

Following outrage over lack of Kannada in their new anthem, Royal Challengers Bangalore unveiled a new version of the song, featuring a rap portion in the local language.

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), on Friday, unveiled their new anthem for Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 but faced a backlash from a section of fans over Hindi and English-dominated lyrics. Quite a few, including former India pacer Dodda Ganesh, pointed out the lack of Kannada lines in the theme song of the Bengaluru-based franchise.

Why The Outrage?

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) enjoy one of the most loyal fanbases in sport, let alone the Indian Premier League (IPL). Over the years, fans have thronged to the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, painting the iconic stadium red, regardless of the team’s performances.

As it turns out, a section of fans are not happy with RCB over their new theme song, which is predominantly in Hindi and English. The fans argue that there should have been more Kannada, considering the team is based out of Bengaluru.

RCB unveiled their new theme song for IPL 2020 on Friday, a day ahead of the season opener between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings. IPL 2020 will be played in the UAE this year in front of empty stands from September 19 to November 10.

“The Official RCB Anthem is here! And it’s dedicated to the best fans in the world. Time to crank up the volume to the maximum, 12th Man Army,” RCB said while unveiling their new theme song.

RCB Did Not Disappoint The Fans

However, RCB didn’t disappoint their fans! Hours after the initial version of the fan anthem was released, the former finalists came up with a new one, this time with more Kannada lyrics. As it turns out, they had roped in young Karnataka opener Devdutt Padikkal to do the Kannada rap portion in the theme song.

The theme song starts with a shot of the golden helmet and fans cheering ‘RCB’ before Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers get the energy levels going. The Kannada rap portion, which is being well received by the RCB fans, stands out in the latest version.

The excitement around IPL 2020 is reaching its peak as the much-anticipated tournament kickstars from September 19 in Abu Dhabi with former champions Chennai Super Kings taking on holders Mumbai Indians. IPL missed the April-May window due to the novel coronavirus pandemic but the tournament was rescheduled to September-November after the T20 World Cup was postponed.

Virat Kohli-led Royal Challengers Bangalore will open their campaign against Sunrisers Hyderabad in Dubai on September 21.

Earlier on Thursday, RCB captain Virat Kohli said the former finalists will play to put smiles on their fans’ faces and that there will be no dip in intensity despite playing in front of empty stands in the UAE.

Virat Kohli said there is a relaxed mood in the camp despite the restrictions due to the bio-bubble in the wake of the pandemic. Kohli said RCB have understood the importance of acceptance and not think about what they are not being able to do at the moment due to the restrictions.

“It’s very easy to think of things that we are not being able to do at this moment. But we have accepted that this is the situation we’re in, this is what we can do and things we can’t. All of us have become very relaxed in that environment.

“If we were not being acceptive, then we would be sad or upset about the surroundings or be cranky. I haven’t seen anything of that sort in the team. All of us have a smile on our faces. And there is no desperation of any sort. Personally, to me, that has been the biggest learning for me in the pandemic till now,” Kohli said.

Synopsis

RCB unveiled a new version of their anthem, featuring a rap portion in Kannada

RCB face the wrath of a section of fans over lack of Kannada in the original version

RCB will open their IPL 2020 campaign against Sunrisers Hyderabad on September 21