The Delhi Capitals have found themselves at the centre of an unexpected social media storm after posting an AI-generated video featuring Punjab Kings co-owner Preity Zinta and Delhi Capitals player Faf du Plessis. The video, titled “Now playing: your fav Faf-Preity films”, reimagined iconic Bollywood posters — including Dil Chahta Hai and Lakshya — with du Plessis’ face replacing that of the male leads alongside Zinta.

The clip was shared from the official Delhi Capitals X account, intended, it appears, as light-hearted banter in the aftermath of a now-viral post-match conversation between Zinta and du Plessis during this year's Indian Premier League (IPL).

However, the AI mash-up has not landed well with many fans, drawing swift criticism from a section of the internet. While some users appreciated the humour, others slammed the post as “cringe” and “inappropriate,” accusing the franchise of crossing the line.

“Main account h bhai ,” wrote one bemused user. Another simply asked, “Bhai kya kar raha hai tu?” — loosely translated to “What on earth are you doing?” A more scathing comment read: “Two people of opposite genders can't even talk in this country without people like you doing whatever this is.”

One user pointed out: “She’s a married woman!...” Another echoed the sentiment, branding the post “How cringe is this, admin.”

The social media backlash highlights the growing scrutiny teams face when blending entertainment with sport online. While IPL franchises often lean into cheeky memes and viral content to engage younger audiences, the line between fun and faux pas remains thin.

As of now, the Delhi Capitals’ social media team has yet to issue a clarification or remove the post, but calls for accountability are growing. Whether the team will move into damage-control mode remains to be seen.

In an age where digital content can boost or bruise a brand in seconds, the Capitals may now be reassessing whether every viral moment is worth chasing.