The Virat Kohli Connection And Social Media History: Why RCB Official Nikhil Sosale Went Viral
In times when Royal Challengers Bengaluru, their players, and fans should be celebrating the Indian Premier League (IPL) title triumph, the franchise is making headlines for all the wrong reasons. After the team's maiden IPL title celebrations in Bengaluru took a tragic turn, resulting in the deaths of 11 fans, the police have made four arrests in the case. Among those four people arrested is the franchise's marketing head, Nikhil Sosale.
Sosale has been in this role at RCB for two years and is employed by Diageo India, a brand that owns United Spirits Limited (USL), the company that has the ownership of the Bengaluru franchise. As soon as the news of Sosale's arrest broke, it took fans little time to unearth Sosale's social media history and his deep connection with RCB's biggest superstar, Virat Kohli.
In several social media posts that fans shared, Sosale could be seen partying with Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma, both on formal and informal occasions. In fact, Sosale's wife Malvika Nayak was often spotted watching RCB's matches in the recently-concluded IPL 2025 wth Anushka.
BREAKING
RCB Marketing Head Nikhil Sosale arrested at Bengaluru airport in stampede case.
His wife was the one calling Pant stupid during his century celebration. Now karma's hitting her hard. pic.twitter.com/AphldcvvuW
— C #291 (@ChlorinePant) June 6, 2025
Got it- her name is Malavika Nayak and her husband is Nikhil Sosale who has a Diageo background (that owns RCB) and also now he manages all brand and publicity for RCB. pic.twitter.com/RFumcrUUxH
— KaustubhP (@causticcos) May 30, 2025
In many posts, Sosale could also be seen with former RCB stars Faf du Plessis and Glenn Maxwell, both of whom were with the franchise last year.
. @imVkohli & @AnushkaSharma visited LUPA restaurant in Bengaluru with Faf du Plessis, Glenn Maxwell & RCB's Head of Marketing & Revenue, Nikhil Sosale last night! #ViratKohli #Virushka #ViratGang pic.twitter.com/sr27JD3QzT
— ViratGang (@ViratGang) May 3, 2024
The duo's constant presence in RCB's matches had even triggered fans' curiosity about the identity of Malvika. It was then found out that the two are good friends with each other.
Any idea bhai? Who is she? https://t.co/DgJitFuAeJ pic.twitter.com/n0bNiDZAht
— KaustubhP (@causticcos) May 29, 2025
Several pictures featuring Sosale, Kohli, Anushka, and Malvika have since been shared by fans on social media. The development, hence, has made Nikhil Sosale a sensation on social media.
Nikhil Sosale of RCB arrested from airport..
He is the same guy whose wife rose to fame as Anushka Sharma's bff on ipl match days..now u know why Kohli and Anushka ran to london. #ArrestKohli pic.twitter.com/z1fJF0apij
— Saurabh (@sirothiasaurabh) June 6, 2025
As for Malvika, she and Anushka have been friends for a long. A picture from 2018 also features Malvika with Anushka, Virat, and KL Rahul celebrating '10 years of RCB'. Rahul was also a part of the Bengaluru franchise that year.
#Throwback @AnushkaSharma with @imVkohli, @ABdeVilliers17, @klrahul11 & #MalvikaNayak while in Bangalore last year #Virushka pic.twitter.com/1zo3d0uog8
— Head Start Nursery (@NurseryCenter) May 12, 2018
As part of the investigation into the stampede case outside the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Wednesday, the police have also raided the residences of Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) Secretary Shankar and KSCA Treasurer Jayaram.
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