Virat Kohli-Anushka Sharma play pickleball with Dinesh Karthik & wife ahead of RCB vs SRH IPL 2025 match [In Pictures]

Virat Kohli, the captain of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), was spotted engaging in a game of pickleball with his wife and Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma, along with other RCB teammates and staff members. This fun activity took place ahead of their upcoming IPL 2025 match against SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) on Friday, May 23.

The pickleball game included not only Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma but also RCB’s batting coach and mentor, Dinesh Karthik, and his wife, Dipika Pallikal. The group seemed to be enjoying themselves, with Kohli dressed in a casual blue oversized t-shirt and shorts while the others were seen in sports gear.

In a post shared by RCB on Instagram, other members present for the game included pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar, coach Andy Flower, director of cricket Mo Bobat, and all-rounder Romario Shepherd. It was a refreshing sight to see the RCB squad bonding and unwinding before their crucial match.

RCB’s upcoming match against SRH was initially scheduled to be their final home game of the season in Bengaluru. However, due to the unpredictable weather conditions in the city, the venue has been shifted to the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow. This decision was made after their previous home game against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) had to be abandoned due to persistent rainfall.

As the IPL 2025 season had a temporary suspension, RCB will be returning to action with a lot at stake. Having already secured a spot in the playoffs, the team is currently placed second on the table with eight wins and 17 points from 12 matches. With two more league stage games remaining, RCB will be aiming to finish in the top two positions.

Virat Kohli, who has been one of the standout performers for RCB this season, will be looking to continue his impressive form. With 505 runs from 11 innings at an average of 63.12 and a strike rate of 143.46, Kohli has been crucial to RCB’s success. His consistency with seven half-centuries has been a significant factor in the team’s performance.

It will be essential for Kohli to maintain his form in the remaining league stage games as RCB eyes a strong finish and a chance to claim their maiden IPL title. The team will be banking on Kohli’s leadership and batting prowess to secure their position in the playoffs and make a strong push towards the final.

In conclusion, the pickleball session was a light-hearted moment for the RCB squad, but the focus will now shift back to cricket as they gear up for the crucial phase of the IPL 2025 season. Fans will be eagerly watching to see if Kohli and the team can carry their momentum and achieve their ultimate goal of winning the championship.