
Virat Kohli teams up with Anushka Sharma for pickleball with RCB players; Netizens say ‘king and queen in the same team'
A spontaneous game of pickleball featuring Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma has gone viral, giving fans a heartwarming glimpse of the couple enjoying some light moments ahead of the crucial IPL playoffs. The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) shared several photos from the fun-filled session, which was organized after a scheduled practice was called off due to rain in Bengaluru.
A post shared by Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@royalchallengers.bengaluru)
In the photos, Virat and Anushka are seen laughing, playing, and exchanging a victorious high-five—suggesting they either won a point or the match. Other RCB stars joined the couple on the court, including Dinesh Karthik, who paired up with his wife, squash champion Dipika Pallikal. Players like Phil Salt, Romario Shepherd, Suyash Prabhudessai, and others also took part in the friendly match, which quickly became a hit on social media.
A post shared by Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@royalchallengers.bengaluru)
Fans were charmed by the couple's camaraderie and energy, especially at a time when emotions are running high following Virat's recent announcement that he is retiring from Test cricket. 'Bro already started playing a new sport… Olympics medal coming soon!' one Instagram user joked, while another wrote, 'King & Queen in the same team.' One more fan simply summed it up as, 'CoupleGoals with a hint of #RCBStyle.'
The timing of the pickleball moment struck a chord with many, especially in light of Virat's decision to step away from the longest format of the game. Known for his passion, grit, and consistency, Virat's retirement from Test cricket marks the end of an era. His contribution to the Indian team, both as a batsman and as a leader, has been monumental, and the announcement has left fans across the country stunned and sentimental.
RCB, having secured a spot in the playoffs, will next face Sunrisers Hyderabad in Bengaluru on Friday, followed by their final league match against Rishabh Pant's Lucknow Super Giants.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Hindustan Times
41 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Aiden Markram's 'Sauce' 100 in WTC final vs Australia dubbed 'one of the finest tons': '2025 the year of the underdog'
South Africa's right-handed opening batter, Aiden Markram, decided to stand up for the team in the World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia at the Lord's Cricket Ground. Chasing 282, the Proteas were in desperate need of a good solid start, and Markram decided to step up as he smashed his 8th Test ton off 156 balls with the help of 11 boundaries. Markram remained unbeaten at stumps on Day 3, and he, along with Temba Bavuma, will now look to finish the job on Saturday. At stumps on Day 3, South Africa's score read 213/2, with Markram and skipper Temba Bavuma unbeaten on 102 and 65, respectively. The Proteas need just 69 runs more to win their maiden WTC title. On the first two days of the WTC final, a total of 28 wickets fell and hence not many gave South Africa a chance after Australia set a target of more than 280 runs. However, Markram and Bavuma had different plans as they took down the famed Australian attack, which included Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, and Nathan Lyon. Also Read: Aiden Markram rises to the challenge, smashes 8th Test ton Markram's innings is now being lauded by several former cricketers on social media. Michael Vaughan and Dale Steyn took to X (formerly Twitter) to showcase their appreciation for the right-hander's clutch knock in London. "S A U C E 100!!!!!!!!!" wrote Steyn. On the other hand, Vaughan said, 'What a special innings by Aidan Markram .. At the most important time against a World class attack he has produced one of the finest tons in a final .. This is a huge moment for a S.A Cricket .. 2025 is certainly the year of the under dog .. maybe that will continue for the Ashes.' 2025 has already seen several firsts when it comes to sporting events. Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) won their first-ever Champions League title while English club Crystal Palace won their first trophy in 120 years as the club won the FA Cup by beating Manchester City. When it comes to cricket, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) ended their 18-year-long trophy drought as the franchise won the Indian Premier League (IPL) for the first time by beating RCB in the final. Now all eyes are on the Rainbow Nation South Africa on whether they can cross the final hurdle on Day 4 to win the WTC against a formidable Australian lineup. It must be mentioned that South Africa lost the T20 World Cup final last year against India. The side then lost the semi-finals of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 against New Zealand.


The Hindu
42 minutes ago
- The Hindu
FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Team Championship: Arjun Erigaisi and Team MGD1 win historic Rapid title
It was a landmark day for Indian chess as Team MGD1, led by Arjun Erigaisi, clinched the Rapid title at the third edition of the FIDE World Rapid & Blitz Team Championship, becoming the first Indian-sponsored team to achieve this feat in the event's history. MGD1 is not only a chess team but also a Pune-based chess management and investment firm that nurtures talent, organises tournaments, and fields Team MGD1 as its flagship venture. Distinct from other teams that feature one or two Indian players, MGD1's line-up is predominantly Indian, and includes Arjun Erigaisi, Pentala Harikrishna, Leon Luke Mendonca, Pranav V, and Atharvaa P. Tayade. In a tense final round against Malcolm's Mates, it was Erigaisi, Pranav, and Tayade who delivered crucial victories to secure the title after an intense day marked by a neck-and-neck contest with Hexamind Chess Team, featuring the likes of Levon Aronian, Vidit Gujrathi and Divya Deshmukh. Hexamind ultimately finished just one match point behind MGD1, while Viswanathan Anand's Freedom claimed third place with 17 match points. Day 1 highlights After four rounds of rapid chess on the opening day, Team MGD1 emerged as the sole leader, maintaining a flawless 4/4 match record. WR Chess, led by stars including Alireza Firouzja and Hikaru Nakamura, and Alexandra Kosteniuk, finished the day tied for second after drawing a fiercely contested match against Freedom, captained by Viswanathan Anand. ALSO READ | Gukesh reminds me of myself from 2008-2009, says Magnus Carlsen Notable absentees from this year's competition are Magnus Carlsen, who spearheaded WR Chess's triumph in the 2023 Blitz Team Championship, and Ian Nepomniachtchi, who couldn't attend due to passport trouble. Day 2 highlights The second day was a treat to all chess fans in India as Viswanathan Anand, showing flashes of his timeless brilliance, defeated Arjun Erigaisi in a pivotal Round 5 clash between Freedom and the dominant MGD1. This marked the first time MGD1 failed to win in this edition. But MGD1 swiftly regrouped in the next round, delivering a commanding performance against WR Chess. Meanwhile, Hexamind continued its rise in the standings, matching MGD1's tally of 13 match points after eight rounds. Close on its heels stood Freedom, Uzbekistan, and Germany & Friends, each poised within striking distance as the rapid stage approached its final day. In the end Team MGD1 held its nerve to seal the title and script history. About the event The third edition of the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Team Championship commenced in Hammersmith, London, on Wednesday and will run till June 15. This year's event features an extended five-day format featuring 55 teams: three days dedicated to rapid chess (a 12-round Swiss system) followed by two days of blitz. The tournament has drawn grandmasters, prodigies, and amateur enthusiasts from around the world, all vying for the €500,000 prize fund, with €310,000 allocated to the rapid section and €190,000 to the blitz. Each team consists of six players per match, with the requirement to field at least one female player and one recreational player (rated below 2000 FIDE).


Hindustan Times
43 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Indian woman stuns US DJ with Kay Sera Sera request: ‘Never underestimate a brown girl's Bollywood song request'
Bollywood songs are renowned worldwide for their vibrant beats, colourful energy, and catchy lyrics. Their charm has reached audiences far beyond India, making them popular in places where Hindi may not even be understood. Recently, a US DJ was caught off guard when an Indian woman asked him to play the Bollywood classic 'Kay Sera Sera.' He hadn't expected the song request, but smiled and played it anyway. What followed was a moment that quickly caught people's attention- and later went viral on social media. The woman's request brought a fresh vibe to the scene. The DJ himself shared a video of his reaction to 'Kay Sera Sera' on Instagram. A post shared by Arlin Moore (@arlin) The DJ's reaction to the song quickly went viral. The video has garnered 2.9 million views. The video didn't just go viral- it got people talking. Instagram users from different parts of the world shared their thoughts, with many praising the Indian woman's confidence and the DJ's surprised yet cheerful reaction. However, some people felt it wasn't right to disturb the DJ's flow or change the vibe of his set. Still, the video sparked a lively debate. One of the users, commented, 'Never underestimate a brown girl's Bollywood song request!!' A second user, real_aditi_sharma, with a hint of sarcasm commented, 'Moral of the story… when an Indian girl asks you to do something… Just do it.' Another user, they_see_me_rolin_they_hatin, commented, 'I hate this kind of audience. He is a house tech DJ, not a random Bollywood or bolly-tech DJ. It's like asking a classical dancer to do hip-hop.' The video of the DJ's reaction to the unexpected Bollywood request continued to gain attention online. With mixed reactions and millions of views, the moment has now sparked buzz across social media.