RCB vs PBKS, IPL 2025 Final: Former British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak extended his support to the Royal Challengers Bengaluru ahead of the IPL 2025 final against Punjab Kings (PBKS), and there's a very special reason behind it.
Sunak revealed that his allegiance to RCB stems from his marriage to Akshata Murty and shared that his in-laws even gifted him an RCB jersey after marriage! The former UK PM is in India to cheer for RCB, who gear up for action with an aim to lift their first IPL title. THE RCB vs PBKS final is scheduled to be played at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Tuesday.
"I'm married into a Bangalore family, so RCB is my team," Sunak said. He also recalled how he proposed to his wife, Akshata Murty, in Kannada — a language he admitted he hadn't quite mastered at the time—and revealed that his in-laws gifted him an RCB jersey when he got married. He's followed the team closely ever since.
"We went to matches a long time ago, and I used to cheer them on in Downing Street," he shared with the news portal, adding that last year's campaign was especially thrilling to watch.
When asked about his favourite cricketer, Sunak mentioned Virat Kohli, a "total legend" and proudly mentioned a signed bat gifted to him by Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar during his tenure at Downing Street. "It's one of my prized possessions," he said.
Sunak went on to talk about the inclusion of Cricket in the Olympics after a long while, mentioning India's growing global impact, while lauding the transformative abilities of the IPL and BCCI. Cricket has been added to the list of competitions of the Los Angeles Games 2028, a first for the sport since 1900.
"It's a sign of the influence India now has in the 21st century. India's passions, India's tastes — they now have a global impact. Why is cricket back in the Olympics for the first time in 100 years? Because of India."
An ardent cricket lover, Sunak touched upon the landscape-changing effect the Indian Premier League (IPL) has had over the years.
"The IPL has transformed cricket. I think every cricketer, everywhere, wants to play in the IPL at some point in their career now. It's also been great for the women's game, getting more girls into the sport (through the Women's Premier League),” he added.