PBKS vs RCB, IPL 2025 Final: Former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has shown full support for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the IPL 2025 final against Punjab Kings (PBKS), hoping they finally win their first IPL title.
Rishi Sunak Backs RCB Ahead Of PBKS vs RCB, IPL 2025 Final
Advertisement
Before the big match, Sunak shared his personal connection to Bengaluru. He said he is part of a Bengaluru-based family through marriage. The 45-year-old married Akshata Murty, daughter of Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy, in 2009.
“I’m married into a Bangalore family, so RCB is my team,” Rishi Sunak told TOI.
The former Prime Minister shared that his in-laws gave him an RCB jersey as a wedding gift. He said he has even supported the team while living at 10 Downing Street, and last season’s exciting matches kept him on the edge of his seat.
“We went to matches a long time ago and I used to cheer them on in Downing Street,” he said.
Rishi Sunak said Virat Kohli is his favourite player, calling him a legend of the game. He also revealed that he owns a signed bat given to him by Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, which he says is one of his most special items.
Sunak added that he’s also counting on RCB’s English players to make a big impact in the final.
“It’s one of my prized possessions. I’m also hoping for a big contribution from RCB’s English contingent, Phil Salt, Liam Livingstone, let’s bring it home,” he further revealed.
Advertisement
PBKS won the toss and chose to bowl first in the IPL 2025 final against RCB.
PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer said: “We’re going to bowl. Only want to give positive signs to my mind and body. It’s an amazing day. Crowd is electrifying. All we have to do is come here and cherish. Boys are in brilliant shape and mindset.”
“All we spoke about in the team meeting is the more calm you are, the better. Nerves are fine. I won’t say it’s just like another game. It’s the final and we’re going to play like a final. Tremendous feeling just thinking about lifting the trophy. Same team.”
RCB captain Rajat Patidar said: “We were also going to bowl. Pitch looks hard, will try to put a good score and put them under pressure. Till now we’ve played good cricket. It’s just another game for us. It’s a big stage but as I said it’s just another away game for us. Same team. Pitch is looking good. I think it’s a flat track, a mix of red and black soil.”
RCB vs PBKS Playing XIs & Impact Subs:
RCB: Philip Salt, Virat Kohli, Mayank Agarawal, Rajat Patidar(c), Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma(w), Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal, Josh Hazlewood
RCB: Rasikh Salam, Manoj Bhandage, Tim Seifert, Swapnil Singh, Suyash Sharma.
PBKS: Priyansh Arya, Josh Inglis(w), Shreyas Iyer(c), Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Azmatullah Omarzai, Kyle Jamieson, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal
PBKS: Prabhsimran Singh, Praveen Dubey, Suryansh Shedge, Xavier Bartlet, Harpreet Brar
ALSO READ: Chaos At The Oval: West Indies Delayed By Traffic, Toss Postponed
Advertisement
