From one well-known Bengaluru son-in-law to a different, extra well-known one. Former British Prime Minister, Conservative politician Rishi Sunak who will attend the IPL last, introduced his cricket loyalties by uttering the phrases ‘Ee Sala Cup Namde!’ as he revealed he was a Royal Challengers Bengaluru fan.
It’s pretty well-known that IPL groups have worldwide followings, and when requested which facet was his, Sunak made it clear. “I’ll offer you a clue — Ee Sala Cup Namde!” he advised TimesofIndia.com. “Hopefully, my pronunciation has improved since I proposed to Akshata 16 years in the past in Kannada the place, fact be advised, I’m not fully certain she knew what I used to be speaking about!” he joked concerning the smattering of the RCB house tongue.
His causes for supporting them had been pretty simple. “However clearly, I’m married right into a Bengaluru household, so RCB is my group. We went to matches collectively a very long time in the past, and really, Akshata’s mom and father received me this shirt once we received married, which is nice,” he continued.
The previous UK premier stated he used to cheer them on in Downing Road, “particularly final 12 months’s cost, which was incredible to observe — and it’s a privilege to be right here in India cheering them on within the last.”
Let’s go @RCBTweets 🏏 pic.twitter.com/iIIW7GFfKH
— Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) June 3, 2025
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Noting that cricket was again within the Olympics for the primary time in 100 years — due to India, he stated the IPL had remodeled cricket. “I believe each cricketer, in every single place, desires to play within the IPL sooner or later of their profession now. And simply have a look at the English gamers who’ve been concerned and so they’re getting higher. I used to be at Edgbaston final week watching the England vs West Indies ODI — Jacob Bethell performed an excellent innings. The IPL has improved him as a cricketer,” he famous.
“It’s additionally been nice for the ladies’s recreation, getting extra ladies into the game. However past that, it’s an indication of the affect India now has within the twenty first century. India’s passions, India’s tastes — they now have a worldwide impression. Why is cricket again within the Olympics for the primary time in 100 years? Due to India,” he repeated.
He stated cricket wasn’t nearly massive stadia but additionally ruling the streets. “I really like cricket in India the fervour, the talent, the keenness. Watching a recreation, you may see simply how a lot it means to everybody. There’s an excellent depth to it, whether or not it’s gully cricket or a Check match. What’s additionally actually particular is that cricket is in every single place on each avenue, there are folks taking part in after which the entire nation comes collectively for the massive moments. That’s actually particular.”
Story continues under this advert
He unsurprisingly named Virat Kohli as his favorite cricketer, whose signed bat he had acquired as PM.
“Now, by way of my favorite gamers clearly, I’m a large Virat Kohli fan. He’s a complete legend. One in every of my prized possessions is a signed bat of his that Minister (oEA) Jaishankar introduced me once I was Prime Minister, as a Diwali reward, to Downing Road — which is wonderful,” he stated.
He additionally had nice hopes from the English that includes within the last. “However after all, I’m additionally hoping for a giant contribution from RCB’s English contingent — Phil Salt, Liam Livingstone, let’s deliver it house!”
Not being Prime Minister had its earlier perks. “Earlier this 12 months, I used to be in India to observe the England–India match on the Wankhede, however that morning I had time to go all the way down to the Parsee Gymkhana and the Maidan in Mumbai to play some tennis ball cricket with kids. I couldn’t have executed that once I was Prime Minister, and I had a lot enjoyable. It was really life-affirming their enthusiasm was completely infectious. A few of the greatest bowling I’ve ever confronted! I channelled my interior Joe Root, tried to hit just a few good drives it was a incredible morning,” he stated.
Story continues under this advert
He additionally stated it had helped break some Ashes ice together with his Aussie counterpart. “Cricket is such a useful diplomatic software. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and I’ve at all times had nice cricket banter, particularly through the Ashes sequence — at one level, it even received a tiny bit heated between us, however all in a really pleasant method.
Prime Minister Modi and I additionally at all times had nice cricket chats earlier than getting all the way down to enterprise.
The factor about cricket is that it reminds you who your folks are and what you share — your passions — and that places everybody in the proper way of thinking earlier than tackling the intense diplomatic stuff,” he stated.
“India are coming to England this summer time. It’s going to be an excellent tour, and I do know it is going to strengthen the partnership and friendship between our two international locations,” he ended staidly.