Kannada star and captain of the Karnataka Bulldozers, Kichcha Sudeep, has made a new statement and again confirmed that he is a staunch supporter of the Kannada identity. Amid a moment that has scorched the internet with pride, Sudeep's Kannada flag was waved in a yellow-and-red garb in the state of Coimbatore on January 25, 2026.
Fans are calling for the move from the state to the neighboring state after it was alleged that the state’s flag has been insulted from time to time.
The Background: The Sabarimala Flag Row
The backdrop for Sudeep’s gesture involves a series of disturbing reports from earlier this month. Thousands of Ayyappa devotees from Karnataka who traveled through Tamil Nadu near Erode and Madurai toward Sabarimala were allegedly harassed. Numerous pilgrims said local groups stopped their cars and forcibly took away the Kannada flags fixed to their cars.
Video of such incidents one of which saw the Kannada flag torn or insulted had ignited widespread outrage in Karnataka. Activists and citizens at large had demanded a proper response, as this would allow the state to continue to maintain the dignity of its symbols.
The Scenes in Coimbatore
The opening for a symbolic "comeback" was during the Celebrity Cricket League (CCL) 2026. On Sunday January 25, the Karnataka Bulldozers faced off for a match with the Bhojpuri Dabanggs at Coimbatore's Sri Ramakrishna College Stadium. Once a grueling match ended in victory for the Bulldozers, Sudeep set off not just as the winning captain, but as the representative of his domain.
In the identical place where the flag had been taunted only weeks earlier, Sudeep held the Kannada flag high to a raucous cheering crowd. This, fans are interpreting, is a clear message: “Pride cannot be crushed by force.”
ಇತ್ತೀಚಿಗೆ ತಮಿಳುನಾಡಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಅಪಮಾನಕ್ಕೊಳಗಾದ ಅದೇ ಸ್ಥಳದಲ್ಲಿ ಅಭಿನಯ ಚಕ್ರವರ್ತಿ ಕಿಚ್ಚ ಬಾಸ್ ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ಧ್ವಜವನ್ನು ಎತ್ತಿ ಹಿಡಿದಿದ್ದಾರೆ..🔥💛❤️🌟
— Kichchana Hudugaru Jayanagara (@Team_KHJ_) January 25, 2026
Pride of Kannada Cenima ❤️🔥@KicchaSudeep 👑#KicchaSudeep #KarnatakaBulldozers #CCL2026 #BRBFirstBlood #CCL pic.twitter.com/OZjgVnHulq
Match Report: Karnataka Bulldozers vs Bhojpuri Dabanggs
The match as a whole was a high-octane thriller that left the crowd of Coimbatore literally glued to its seats:
First Innings: Karnataka Bulldozers led by Sudeep put up a 202/9 in 20 overs total, while Darling Krishna (53) and Rajeev Hanu (62) were the stars.
The Chase: The Bhojpuri Dabanggs, under Manoj Tiwary, led the way with the start but fell apart under the Bulldozers' clinical bowling assault.
The Finish: Dabanggs needed 26 runs in the final over but wound up with 184 all out.
Result: Karnataka Bulldozers emerged 18 runs ahead for a third straight win and a run to the top of the CCL 2026 points table.
A Leader of People with Land and Culture
Sudeep has a long tradition of standing firmly on behalf of the Kannada language and culture. By not only correcting non-native speakers to pronounce "Kannada" (not "Kannad"), but also assisting local initiatives, his latest move in Coimbatore has established him as a key figure in the culture. That viral video showing him flying the flag stands out, but also reminds us of how a shared sport can help people who see one another; it is a reminder of the deep respect toward his people that characterizes this actor.
