SBI’s Viral Reply to Vijay Mallya on RCB IPL 2025 Win Sparks Internet Frenzy
‘Come To India, We’ll Celebrate Together’: SBI’s Viral Response to Vijay Mallya’s RCB Tweet Sparks Internet Frenzy
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) scripted history by clinching their maiden IPL title after an 18-year wait, and the celebrations were nothing short of euphoric. The city of Bengaluru erupted with fireworks, cheers, and an overwhelming wave of joy as RCB defeated Punjab Kings in a gripping IPL 2025 final in Ahmedabad. The victory was a long-awaited moment for fans and players alike, particularly for cricket legend Virat Kohli, who has remained loyal to the franchise since the inaugural IPL season in 2008. Among the many congratulatory messages pouring in on social media, one stood out — a tweet from RCB’s former owner and fugitive businessman Vijay Mallya.
Vijay Mallya, who is currently facing charges in India for defaulting on bank loans worth over ₹9,000 crore involving a consortium led by the State Bank of India (SBI), took to social media to congratulate the team. “RCB are IPL Champions finally after 18 years. Superb campaign right through the 2025 tournament. A well-balanced team Playing Bold with outstanding coaching and support staff. Many congratulations! Ee sala cup named,” Mallya posted on X (formerly Twitter). While some users acknowledged his historic connection with the team, the tweet also triggered a flurry of memes and witty comments online, with many urging him to return to India and “celebrate in person.”
The most viral moment came when businessman Harsh Goenka shared what appeared to be a screenshot of a purported reply from the State Bank of India to Mallya’s tweet. The reply read, “Sir, come to India. We will celebrate together.” This alleged response set social media ablaze, with users reacting humorously and saying, “SBI got no chill” and “This is the tweet of the year.” However, keen-eyed users noticed that the supposed SBI reply was not visible under Mallya’s original tweet. When questioned, AI tool Grok responded that the SBI reply appeared to be fabricated and inconsistent with the bank’s usual communication tone and practices, indicating that the image circulating might have been edited.
Still, the viral nature of the screenshot captured the public imagination, reflecting the lingering anger among citizens over the massive loan default case linked to Mallya’s defunct Kingfisher Airlines. Comments flooded in, with users sarcastically inviting Mallya to visit local SBI branches to share the joy of RCB’s win — and perhaps repay a fraction of his dues. “Sir, isi khushi mein kal subah ek baar Kirti Nagar wali SBI branch aa jao 5 minute ke liye please,” wrote one user. Another added, “Now at least return some money to SBI from the winning amount.”
Mallya later shared a follow-up message reminiscing about his role in RCB’s formative years. He expressed his pride in having picked young Virat Kohli and acknowledged the impact of star players like AB de Villiers and Chris Gayle. “When I founded RCB it was my dream that the IPL trophy should come to Bengaluru. I had the privilege of picking the legendary King Kohli as a youngster and it is remarkable that he has stayed with RCB for 18 years. Finally, the IPL trophy arrives in Bengaluru. Congratulations and thanks again to all who made my dream come true. RCB fans are the very best and they deserve the IPL trophy. Ee Sala Cup Bengaluru baruthe!” he wrote.
As RCB lifts the IPL trophy for the first time in history, the moment has turned into a cultural flashpoint, blending sports achievement, internet humor, and lingering public resentment over financial scandals. While the authenticity of the SBI reply remains questionable, the public’s reaction reflects deep-rooted sentiments and a knack for turning even the most serious issues into viral content.
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