With rain halting Royal Challengers Bangalore’s (RCB) training plans ahead of their critical IPL 2025 faceoff against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), the squad made the best of their indoor downtime—Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma were seen joining RCB players for a fun game of pickleball.
The impromptu pickleball session featured not just Kohli and Anushka, but also Phil Salt, Liam Livingstone, and Mayank Agarwal. With the clash against SRH moved from rain-hit Bengaluru to Lucknow, the team turned a setback into a bonding opportunity, showing high morale and a light-hearted attitude amidst pressure.
RCB have already qualified for the IPL 2025 playoffs, but the race for a top-two finish is still very much alive. Here’s the current top of the table:
-
Gujarat Titans (GT): 19 points
-
RCB: 17 points
-
Punjab Kings (PBKS): 17 points
With two matches left, RCB can still reach 21 points, but to finish in the top two (and secure a place in Qualifier 1, which offers a second chance at the final), they will need:
-
Wins in both remaining games, and
-
GT or PBKS to slip, as net run rate will likely come into play.
While Kohli continues to inspire on the field, Anushka Sharma’s presence has added charm and calm to RCB’s campaign. Their public appearances—now even on a pickleball court—serve to boost team spirit and fan excitement as RCB eyes a first-ever title after finishing runners-up thrice.
RCB’s balanced squad, with contributions across departments, has been key to their success this season. Bowlers have delivered breakthroughs, middle-order batters have stood tall, and team unity is on full display. The playful atmosphere despite intense competition reflects a squad hungry, but not tense—possibly the edge they need to finally lift their maiden IPL trophy.
