The 11th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 is being played at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, where Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and their rivals Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are facing each other. After winning the toss, CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad decided to bowl first, hoping to restrict RCB on a batting-friendly surface.
Expectations were sky high about former RCB captain Virat Kohli, and fans were expecting a great innings. However, what happened next was a mix of chaos, drama, and retrieval that immediately became the main talking point of the match.
Shivam Dubey’s dropped catch gives Virat Kohli a vital lifeline
The drama began only in the third over of the innings, when CSK pacer Khaleel Ahmed forced Kohli to play an ill-timed high shot. The ball went high towards long-on, where Shivam Dubey was in the right position to take a straight catch.
In a surprising twist, Dubey missed the chance and dropped the catch, giving Kohli a lifeline when he was down on just 7 runs. The moment came as a shock to both players and fans, as dropping a catch by a batsman like Kohli is often considered a costly mistake in T20 cricket.
Adding to the drama, the cameras repeatedly focused on Kohli’s wife and Bollywood actor Anushka Sharma, whose shocked reaction quickly went viral on social media platforms.
Kohli gets out after scoring 28 runs, recovers
Although there was an initial relief, Kohli could not convert this opportunity into a big score. In the fifth over, CSK got a reprieve when young pacer Anshul Kamboj forced another aerial mistake from the RCB star.
This time, Dubey made no mistakes in the field, taking the catch safely to dismiss Kohli for 28 off 18 balls. While the wicket gave CSK a reprieve, it also highlighted how fortunes can change rapidly in T20 cricket.
Fans trolled Dubey on social media
Although Dubey eventually improved, his earlier dropped catch did not go unnoticed. Fans took to social media in droves, criticizing the all-rounder in what many described as an “unacceptable mistake” at the highest level.
Memes and reactions flooded the timeline within minutes, with many users pointing out how disastrous it could have been to give Kohli a “second life”. However, some acknowledged Dubey’s comeback effort, stating that his catch was helpful in balancing Kohli’s dismissal.
Fans’ reactions are as follows:
release dube asap he looks uninterested
— varshu. (@Sssssssssshhu) April 5, 2026
Shivam Dube’s lack of fielding ability doesn’t get much attention.. he is so slow. And never takes risks while fielding in the deep
— Ramesh (@rmshnt27) April 5, 2026
Dube probably dropped the match only 😭
— 𔓘 (@snuggledpuff) April 5, 2026
Dube wants to be an impact player, no interest to improve himself in fielding..
We will lose tonight also, and he will shamelessly comeback next match too..— STR Stan (@subramaniandeva) April 5, 2026
Dube intentionally dropped Kohli’s catch. pic.twitter.com/i8qgqg2IU8
— Harish #TimeTrotter (@harish_484) April 5, 2026
You know Dube is RCB’s SPY in CSK camp but you can’t prove it
— Shawn Mc Arthur (@Shadow__Bean) April 5, 2026
all this happening bc dube dropped that fckin catch
— s. (@sunsaathiyax) April 5, 2026
Just when I thought we were doing good in the field… who tf stopped playing dube as impact player man
— t (@messiornone) April 5, 2026
Tactical drop by clutchgod Dube ? 🔥🔥🔥
— Nostalgia Merchant 😋 (@varun477) April 5, 2026
Dube has always been a liability to our team but nostalgia merchants aren’t ready for that conversation
— Sùjith (@Sk_twitzz) April 5, 2026
Dropped!!
Shivam Dube you my boy big RESPECT #RCBvsCSK— 𝑯𝒂𝒔𝒏𝒂𝒊𝒏 (@hasnainhu02) April 5, 2026
We should use DUBE as impact player 😡. He should never be in the field 😢#RCBMatch #RCBvsCSK #ipl2026 #CSK #RCB #Whislepodu
— Social Master (@Raj03003026) April 5, 2026
Dube, i have no words, Never let him field. WTF man.
— Sergio (@SergioCulerCSK) April 5, 2026
Our bowlers are literally put their body on the line and this guy man. I can’t get enough of ranting about that catch drop. Dube brother. WTF
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) April 5, 2026
Dube at mid on while Sarfaraz, Mhatre are standing in gully nad covers CSK can’t afford to have him there.
— Sujith V (@Sujith1727) April 5, 2026
Dube 😢 pic.twitter.com/OPS6MmcfVC
— Out Of Context Cricket (@GemsOfCricket) April 5, 2026
Dube is one of the worst fielders I have ever seen.
You can’t be this bad in the field. Embarrassing.
— Geopolitics (@geopolitics) April 5, 2026
Feel for Khaleel. Dube ruined his entire hardwork. He was bowling really well
— Snap (@ObsessionSnap) April 5, 2026
I dont know why we use Dube the Fielder. Man causally goes for the ball. Making single’s into two’s and not even trying catches. I would love atleast a try.
— Badri Dhoni (@badridhoni_) April 5, 2026
Adei Dube 😬😬 Covered all the ground to just drop it.
— Haricharan Pudipeddi (@pudiharicharan) April 5, 2026
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