Journalist-turned-YouTuber Shubhankar Mishra found himself at the center of social media chatter during the IPL 2025 Qualifier 1 between (PBKS) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), and not for cricket commentary.
Mishra, who was invited as a special guest by PBKS, attended the high-octane clash at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur wearing a custom Punjab Kings jersey with his name on it. But it wasn’t just his presence that caught the crowd’s attention; it was his seatmate, RJ Mahvash, the rumored girlfriend of PBKS spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, that sparked a storm of speculation online.
Mishra addressed the situation in a social media post. “The thousands of people who were struggling to meet me and take pictures in the stadium are bigger than the story of becoming famous by reading the news. Those who, even amidst the crowd of countless stars, came close to share stories of our indirect connection. An IPL team invited me as a ‘Special Guest,’ made a jersey with my name because millions of people listen to us every day—that’s the real strength. Their love, their hopes, are our greatest earnings. For me, that respect is heart-touching. As long as they are there, all this will keep coming through different mediums,” wrote Mishra.
Meanwhile, RJ Mahvash, who remained composed during the match despite PBKS’s crushing loss, also drew attention for her emotional reaction, further intensifying buzz around her rumored relationship with Chahal.
RCB gets one step closer to IPL 2025 trophy
RCB fans were overjoyed on Thursday evening after their team defeated Punjab Kings (PBKS) by eight wickets in Qualifier 1 at Mullanpur. With this win, RCB has reached the IPL final for the fourth time, and the first since 2016. However, they have never won the title in their previous three finals.
Kohli now has one more shot at glory having beebn associated with the franchise since the inaugural (2008) edition of the league. Bengaluru reached the finals in 2009, 2011 and 2016 but were beaten on all three occasions.
RCB chose to bowl first and put on a strong performance by quickly removing PBKS’s top batsmen. Punjab could only manage 101 runs in 14.1 overs, thanks to excellent bowling by Josh Hazlewood (3 wickets for 21 runs), Suyash Sharma (3/17), and Yash Dayal (2/26).
In the chase, RCB lost Virat Kohli (12) and Mayank Agarwal (19) early, but Phil Salt played a powerful innings, scoring 56 runs off just 27 balls. He was supported by captain Rajat Patidar (15 not out), and the team reached the target in just 10 overs with eight wickets remaining.
