The IPL 2025 Final between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) witnessed not just cricketing drama on the field but also a viral moment in the stands, courtesy of former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
Sunak, attending the high-profile clash at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad with his wife Akshata Murty, was spotted celebrating animatedly after Arshdeep Singh dismissed RCB’s Bhuvneshwar Kumar on the very last ball of the innings. The final delivery saw Bhuvneshwar swing hard but only managed to find the fielder. That wicket ended RCB’s innings at 190/9 in 20 overs, a respectable but potentially chaseable total on a batting-friendly track.
What stole the spotlight, however, was Sunak’s euphoric reaction. Cameras caught him leaping to his feet, arms raised and smiling broadly, clearly reveling in the intensity of the moment. The clip instantly went viral on social media, with fans praising his enthusiasm and cricketing spirit, especially given that he was cheering for RCB, not Punjab.
During the mid-innings break, Sunak shared his cricket allegiance on the broadcast. “I am married into a Bangalore family, so RCB is my team. My wife is from Bengaluru,” he said, drawing warm reactions from fans across India and the UK.
Sunak’s presence at the match and his vocal support for RCB added another layer of celebrity appeal to an already high-stakes evening. His visible connection to the game and to the culture of cricket in India struck a chord with viewers and further amplified the global reach and glamour of the IPL final.
IPL 2025: Royal Challengers Bengaluru are taking on Punjab Kings in the finals at Narendra Modi Stadium
The stage is set for a historic showdown as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) clash in the IPL 2025 final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on June 3 at 7:30 PM IST. Both teams are vying for their maiden IPL title, adding an extra layer of anticipation to this high-stakes encounter.
Under the leadership of Rajat Patidar, RCB finished second in the league stage with 9 wins, 4 losses, and one no-result, amassing 19 points. They secured their spot in the final by defeating PBKS in Qualifier 1, marking their first final appearance since 2016.
PBKS topped the league stage with an identical record to RCB but had a superior net run rate. After a setback against RCB in Qualifier 1, they bounced back by overcoming Mumbai Indians in Qualifier 2, thanks to a stellar unbeaten 87 by captain Shreyas Iyer.
