Ex-RCB Player Swastik Chikara in Social Media Spotlight Over Viral Screenshot

Former Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) cricketer Swastik Chikara has become a topic of widespread discussion on social media for reasons unrelated to on-field performance, with the attention intensifying as the IPL 2026 season approaches in March. The development has triggered debate online, though no official complaint, investigation or disciplinary action has been reported.

Why Swastik Chikara is trending online

The current discussion began after a screenshot circulated on social media claiming that Swastik Chikara was a paid subscriber to the Instagram exclusive content of social media influencer Muskan Karia. The screenshot, which has not been independently verified, quickly went viral and drew reactions from users across platforms.

It is important to note that subscribing to paid digital content is not illegal, and neither Swastik Chikara nor Muskan Karia has made any public statement confirming or denying the authenticity of the screenshot. No individual has approached authorities, and no legal issue has arisen from the matter so far.

However, Chikara later clarified the incident by sharing a story, calling it an algorithm or technical mistake and denying any intentional subscription.

Social media reactions and speculation

Following the circulation of the image, social media users shared mixed reactions. Some comments questioned the cricketer's online presence, while others dismissed the screenshot as edited or misleading. Several users also cautioned against jumping to conclusions based on unverified posts.

Alongside commentary on Swastik Chikara, some users began speculating about the influencer's earnings based on publicly visible subscription figures. These calculations remain purely speculative, as no verified financial data has been disclosed by the influencer or the platform.

Swastik Chikara's RCB stint and public visibility

Swastik Chikara, a Uttar Pradesh-based batter, was part of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru squad during their IPL 2025 title-winning season. Despite RCB lifting their first IPL trophy in 18 years, Chikara did not feature in any matches and spent the season on the bench.

Even without game time, he gained visibility among fans due to frequent appearances alongside senior players, particularly Virat Kohli. Some supporters informally referred to him as "Kohli's biggest cheerleader", sharing clips and images from training sessions and team moments.

However, one post-match incident after the IPL 2025 final attracted criticism online. As Virat Kohli became emotional following RCB's historic win, some fans felt Chikara's presence at that moment was unnecessary, leading to negative reactions on social media. No comment was made by the player or the franchise regarding the incident.

Release from RCB and auction outcome

Ahead of the IPL 2026 mini auction, Royal Challengers Bengaluru released Swastik Chikara from the squad. The franchise did not provide a public explanation, which is standard practice during player releases.

Chikara entered the auction hoping to be picked by another team, but went unsold, with none of the ten franchises placing a bid. This marked a setback in his short IPL career, though auction outcomes are influenced by multiple factors including team balance, budgets and strategy.

Domestic cricket status and future prospects

At just 20 years old, Swastik Chikara continues to be registered with Uttar Pradesh in domestic cricket. However, he was not named in the state squad for the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26, adding to questions about his immediate cricketing trajectory.

Despite recent attention online and professional challenges, cricket observers note that Chikara remains early in his career and has time to regroup, improve, and re-establish himself through domestic performances.

As of now, the matter involving Swastik Chikara remains limited to online discussion. There is no police complaint, no cyber case, and no statement from cricket authorities or franchises. The authenticity of the viral screenshot has not been confirmed, and no wrongdoing has been established.