Bengaluru auto driver is offering free rides, but not everyone qualifies. He has one simple rule

As the new season of the Indian Premier League kicks off, the excitement is clearly not limited to stadiums or TV screens. In Bengaluru, cricket fever has spilled onto the streets in a way that people don’t usually expect from daily transport. A local auto-rickshaw driver in the city has gone viral for a simple but striking gesture ahead of the opening clash between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad. He is offering free rides, but with only one condition.

A handwritten note

The story first came to light after a social media user, Mahika Jadhav, shared a photo on X. The image showed a handwritten note pasted behind the driver’s seat inside the auto.

The note read: “Match day RCB vs SRH. Free ride if you are wearing RCB jersey. E sala cup namdu 2.0. RCB forever.”


The message was simple, not something professionally printed or designed, but that is probably what made it stand out more. It reflected a kind of everyday fan emotion rather than a planned promotion.

The phrase “E sala cup namdu,” which has long been associated with RCB supporters, appeared again in the note, this time with a “2.0” added to it. With the team entering the season as defending champions, the belief among fans seems to have only grown stronger.

The viral post also included a reflection from Jadhav about how cricket fits into daily life in India. She wrote: “There’s something about cricket in India that you can’t really explain. It’s been there since childhood, in the background of every home, every conversation, every summer.”

She further added, “And RCB fans, honestly, the most patient and loyal. Every year it’s ‘e sala cup namde’ with the same belief, same excitement. You have to respect that kind of love for a team.”

Social media reacts to the gesture

The post quickly gained traction, with many users praising the driver’s loyalty and calling it a true reflection of Bengaluru’s cricket culture. Some users described it as “pure love,” while others pointed out how such small gestures show the emotional connection people have with their teams.

One user commented, “Win or lose, RCB fans show up the same way every year pure passion.” Another wrote, “This is pure love, always proud of my team and our best fans in the world.”

Even though the driver’s identity is not known yet, the act itself has been widely shared and appreciated.

The opening match between RCB and SRH is being held at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, and expectations are already high. The two teams have produced high-scoring games in the past, and fans are hoping for another entertaining contest.