Rishi Sunak Supports RCB in IPL Finals Against Punjab Kings
Rishi Sunak's Support for RCB
Rishi Sunak, the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and current Member of Parliament, has publicly shown his support for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) as they prepare to face the Punjab Kings in the IPL finals at the Narendra Modi Stadium. In an interview, Sunak shared his enthusiasm for RCB, attributing his allegiance to his family ties in Bangalore. He plans to attend the finals to cheer for RCB as they aim for their first IPL championship.
Sunak's Connection to RCB
Former British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on TOI:
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) June 3, 2025
"I am married into a Bangalore family, so RCB is my team". pic.twitter.com/6KsZnDgMt3
Sunak mentioned that he received an RCB jersey from his in-laws upon marriage, which sparked his interest in the team. He expressed admiration for former RCB captain Virat Kohli, referring to him as a 'Total Legend.' He fondly recalled a moment when India's External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, gifted Kohli a signed bat during his visit to India, which Sunak considers a treasured item.
Impact of IPL on English Players
Discussing the influence of the IPL, Sunak remarked, "The IPL has transformed cricket. Every cricketer, everywhere, wants to play in the IPL at some point in their career now." He highlighted the developmental benefits for English players, citing Jacob Bethell's impressive performance during a recent match he attended.
This season, RCB has included English players like Phil Salt, Jacob Bethell, and Liam Livingstone. Salt has been particularly impactful, scoring 387 runs at a strike rate of 175.9, while Bethell has contributed 67 runs in just two matches. However, Livingstone has struggled to make a significant impact this season.