Rishi Sunak Cheers for RCB During IPL 2025 Final in Ahmedabad
| 2025-06-03
Former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty attended the IPL 2025 final between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings in Ahmedabad.
Former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and wife Akshata Murty support Royal Challengers Bengaluru at IPL 2025 final, highlighting India’s global cricket influence.
The couple were seen enthusiastically supporting Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) during the championship match at the Narendra Modi Stadium, one of the world’s largest cricket venues, located in the western Indian city of Ahmedabad.
RCB, aiming to secure their first IPL title, set a target of 191 runs for Punjab Kings. The packed stadium erupted with cheers as Sunak raised his fists in celebration, joining thousands of RCB fans in an electric atmosphere. The match marked a significant occasion in the IPL’s 18th season, with RCB making their first final appearance in 15 years.
Speaking after RCB's innings, Sunak told reporters, “This is incredible, this is absolutely electric. This is my first time here, the crowd is incredible—I have never experienced cricket like this.”
Earlier in the day, Sunak posted a selfie with his wife on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), captioned with “Let’s go @RCBTweets”, expressing his excitement ahead of the match.
Sunak has previously spoken about his connection to the team, stating that he became an RCB supporter after marrying into a Bengaluru-based family. His wife, Akshata Murty, is the daughter of Indian business leader and Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy and author Sudha Murty.
“I’m married into a Bangalore family, so RCB is my team. We used to watch matches years ago, and I even cheered for them from Downing Street,” Sunak said in an earlier interview withThe Times of India.
A long-time admirer of Indian cricket star Virat Kohli, Sunak called the former RCB captain a “total legend”. He also revealed that one of his cherished personal possessions is a bat signed by Kohli, which was presented to him by Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar during his premiership.
During the final, Sunak said he was looking forward to seeing English players Phil Salt and Liam Livingstone play crucial roles for RCB, adding, “Let’s bring it home.”
The 45-year-old former British leader also shared a personal anecdote that endeared him to many fans—his marriage proposal to Murty was made in Kannada, her native language, despite his limited fluency.
Sunak and Murty met while studying at Stanford University in the United States and married in 2009. They have two daughters.
Cricket’s Return to the Olympics
While attending the match, Sunak also reflected on cricket’s growing international reach. He welcomed the sport’s planned return to the Olympic Games at the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles—its first inclusion since 1900.
While attending the match, Sunak also reflected on cricket’s growing international reach. He welcomed the sport’s planned return to the Olympic Games at the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles—its first inclusion since 1900.
“It’s a sign of the influence India now has in the 21st century,” he said. “India’s passions and tastes are now impacting the world.”
He credited the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Indian Premier League for the sport’s expansion and increasing appeal, particularly among younger and global audiences.
The Broader Impact of IPL
Sunak described the IPL as a transformative force in modern cricket. “The IPL has transformed cricket,” he said. “Every cricketer now dreams of playing in it at some point.”
Sunak described the IPL as a transformative force in modern cricket. “The IPL has transformed cricket,” he said. “Every cricketer now dreams of playing in it at some point.”
He also acknowledged the growth of women’s cricket through leagues like the Women’s Premier League, launched in 2023 as a parallel competition to promote gender parity in the sport.
Context:
Rishi Sunak became the first British Prime Minister of Indian origin in October 2022. After serving a two-year term marked by political and economic challenges, he stepped down in July 2024, succeeded by Labour Party leader Keir Starmer.
Rishi Sunak became the first British Prime Minister of Indian origin in October 2022. After serving a two-year term marked by political and economic challenges, he stepped down in July 2024, succeeded by Labour Party leader Keir Starmer.
His attendance at the IPL final alongside his wife, who hails from one of India’s most prominent business families, underscored the enduring cultural links between the UK and India, particularly through cricket—a shared sporting tradition dating back to the colonial era.
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