Former British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak openly declared his allegiance to the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) before the IPL 2025 final against Punjab kings, calling the team due to deep personal ties. “I am married in a family of Bangalore, so RCB is my team,” Sunak told Timesofindia.com, recalling how he proposed to his wife Akshata Mounty in Kannada – a language he admitted that he had not entirely mastered at the time.The former British leader, in India to encourage the RCB who is looking for his first title IPL, revealed that his parents-in-law offered him a RCB jersey when he got married and that he has followed the team since.Go beyond the border with our YouTube channel. Subscribe now!“We went to matches a long time ago and I used to encourage them in Downing Street,” he shares, adding that last year’s campaign was particularly exciting to watch.
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Sunak appointed Virat Kohli as his favorite player, calling him “total legend” and proudly mentioning a signed bat which was offered to him by the Indian Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar during his mandate at Downing Street. “It is one of my precious goods,” he said.But Sunak is not only counting on the Indian superstar. “I also hope for a large contribution from the English contingent of RCB-Phil Salt, Liam Livingstone-Let’s take it home,” he adds, while Bengaluru seeks to secure their first IPL title at the Narendra Moda stadium in Ahmedabad.Who is this IPL player?Beyond his personal fandom, Sunak applauded the transformative effect of the Indian Premier League on world cricket.“The IPL has transformed cricket. Each cricket player, everywhere, wants to play in the IPL at some point in their career now,” he said, noting his impact on development on English players. “I was in Edgbaston last week looking at England against the Antilles. Jacob Bethell played a brilliant round. The IPL improved it as a player.”
Rishi Sunak with the Suryakumar Yadav from India and Jos Buttler in England. (Photo credit: special arrangement)
Sunak also underlined the contribution of IPL (WPL) to the cricket of women and a broader cultural influence. “It’s great for the female game, bringing more girls into sport. But it is also a sign of influence that India has now in the 21st century. The passions of India, the tastes of India now have a global impact.”He concluded with a nod to the return of the cricket at the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 2028. “Why is the cricket back at the Olympic Games for the first time in 100 years? Because of India.”
Diplomacy meets cricketSunak also underlined the unique capacity of cricket to serve as a diplomatic tool despite the historical rivalry on the ground using its relationship with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.“The Albanian Prime Minister and I have always had great cricket jokes – especially during the ashes, where at one point, he heated himself a little, but all in a friendly manner,” he laughs. “And Prime Minister Modi and I have always had an excellent cricket cat before you put in business.”“The cricket reminds you who your friends and your shared passions are. This place everyone in the good state of mind before going to serious diplomatic things,” he added, looking at the tour of India in England this summer. “It will be a big tour and I know that it will strengthen the partnership and friendship between our two countries.”