Rain may have disrupted Royal Challengers Bangalore’s (RCB) practice session ahead of their crucial IPL 2025 clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad, but it didn’t dampen the spirits of star batter Virat Kohli. The RCB talisman and his wife Anushka Sharma were spotted enjoying game of pickleball with other players from the RCB team.
Kohli was also joined by RCB teammates Phil Salt, Liam Livingstone, and Mayank Agarwal, who all took to the court for some light-hearted action after rain washed out their training plans. With the match against SRH shifted from Bengaluru to Lucknow due to persistent rain, the team made the most of their indoor time.
The unexpected session provided a welcome break for the players, who are in the middle of a high-pressure race for a top-two finish in the IPL 2025 playoffs. Gujarat Titans (GT), RCB, and Punjab Kings (PBKS) have qualified for the playoffs, and all have a fair chance of finishing inside top two.
RCB eyes top-two finish
As it stands, RCB are tied on points with Punjab Kings, both sitting at 17, while Gujarat Titans lead with 19 points. All three sides have qualified for the playoffs, but only two will secure the crucial top spots for direct access to Qualifier 1. RCB’s best shot: win both remaining games and hope GT or PBKS stumble, with net run rate likely to decide the final standings.
Eyes on the Prize
Despite their playoff berth, RCB remain hungry. Having reached the finals thrice but never lifted the trophy, the team knows that momentum and unity are key. While Kohli remains an icon, this season’s success has come from the collective strength of the squadwith bowlers, middle-order batters, and role players all stepping up. RCB are keeping their minds fresh and spirits high at just the right time.
