Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) cricketer Swastik Chikara has come under social media scrutiny following allegations of unprofessional conduct made by an Instagram user. The user, identified as Radhika Sharma, took to the platform to detail a series of interactions with the 20-year-old batter, claiming he "pressurised" her to meet at a private location after she had already signaled her lack of interest. Yash Dayal's Anticipatory Bail Rejected; POCSO Court in Jaipur Dismisses RCB Cricketer's Plea On Minor-Rape Case.

The allegations, which surfaced on January 10, 2026, center on an encounter that reportedly took place during a domestic cricket stint in Kanpur. Chikara, who was signed by RCB for the 2024 season and remains a notable prospect in the franchise's ecosystem, has not yet officially responded to the claims.

Female User Claims Ex-RCB Cricketer Swastik Chikara Was Pressurising Her To Meet in a Cafe

 

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A post shared by RS (@radhikasharmaa711)

Details of the Reported Encounter

According to the post shared by Sharma, the interaction began at the Z-Square Mall in Kanpur, where Chikara was reportedly "randomly roaming" with a companion. Sharma alleges that the cricketer approached her using a casual remark about her phone cover before inviting her and a friend for coffee at a nearby Starbucks.

Notably, the user mentioned that senior Indian cricketer Rinku Singh was also present at the cafe at the time, though she clarified that she did not recognize either athlete initially as she is not a follower of the sport.

Allegations of Persistent Messaging

The situation reportedly escalated after the initial meeting. Sharma stated that Chikara found her social media profiles on Instagram and Snapchat shortly after their encounter at the mall.

"After a day or two, he started flirting, so I removed him," the user wrote in her post. She further alleged that despite being removed, Chikara continued to "pressurize" her to meet him at a specific cafe or restaurant. The user shared these details to "let everybody know" about the player’s behavior, expressing frustration over the lack of respect for her boundaries.

Background: Chikara’s Rising Career

Swastik Chikara rose to prominence following a record-breaking performance in the UP T20 League, where he was one of the highest run-getters. His aggressive batting style earned him an IPL contract with RCB, where he has been mentored by senior figures like Virat Kohli.

The young batter has recently been active in the domestic circuit, featuring for Uttar Pradesh in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. While he is celebrated for his on-field talent, this social media controversy marks the first time his off-field conduct has been publicly called into question by a member of the public.

Impact of Social Media on Athlete Conduct

The incident has sparked a debate on social media regarding the responsibilities of young athletes in the digital age. While some fans have called for a thorough investigation by the franchise or the BCCI, others have cautioned against "trial by social media" before any official complaint is filed or the player's side is heard. Netizens Claim Ex-RCB Cricketer Swastik Chikara Among Subscribers of Instagram Influencer Muskan Karia.

As of Saturday evening, neither Royal Challengers Bengaluru nor the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) has issued a statement regarding the allegations.

Rating:3

TruLY Score 3 – Believable; Needs Further Research | On a Trust Scale of 0-5 this article has scored 3 on LatestLY, this article appears believable but may need additional verification. It is based on reporting from news websites or verified journalists (Instagram ), but lacks supporting official confirmation. Readers are advised to treat the information as credible but continue to follow up for updates or confirmations

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 10, 2026 09:24 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).