Rishi Sunak Former UK PM lands in India to watch Tata IPL closing ceremony
Rishi Sunak Former UK PM lands in India to watch Tata IPL closing ceremony 
Former UK PM Rishi Sunak connected the return of cricket to the Olympics after a century-long hiatus to India’s growing global impact, amid lauding the transformative abilities of the IPL and BCCI.
Cricket has been added to the list of competitions of the Los Angeles Games 2028, a first for the sport since 1900.
Sunak voiced it to be a sign of the influence India now has in the 21st century. India’s passions, India’s tastes — they now have a global impact. Why is cricket back in the Olympics for the first time in 100 years? Sunak was in India to watch the IPL Finale between RCB and PBKS
An ardent cricket lover, Sunak touched upon the landscape-changing effect the Indian Premier League (IPL) has had over the years.
Adding that the IPL has transformed cricket. He feels that they think every cricketer, everywhere, wants to play in the IPL at some point in their career now. It’s also been great for the women’s game, getting more girls into the sport (through the Women’s Premier League.
Sunak then traced the impact the IPL had on English cricket, using the recent performances of players like Jacob Bethel as an example.
“And just look at the English players who’ve been involved and they’re getting better. Sunak was at Edgbaston last week watching the England vs West Indies ODI. Jacob Bethell played a brilliant innings. The IPL has improved him as a cricketer. Bethell, who plays for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL, made a 53-ball 82 in England’s massive 238-run victory over the Windies in the opening one-dayer of the three-match series.
Noteworthily Sunak supports RCB
The 45-year-old politician did not conceal his affinity towards legendary Virat Kohli and his IPL side Royal Challengers. He backed RCB to end their 18-year wait for an IPL trophy.
Sunak further went on to add that RCB is his team since he is married into a Bangalore family
Akshata’s (wife) mother and father got him his shirt when we got married, which is great
Sunak’s Bengaluru connection is through his wife Akshata, who is the daughter of Infosys founder NR Narayana Murthy and entrepreneur Sudha Murty, and hails from the Garden City.
“Now, in terms of his favourite players obviously, he is a massive Virat Kohli fan. He’s a total legend. One of his ů prized possessions is a signed bat of his that (India’s External Affairs) Minister S Jaishankar brought him when he was Prime Minister, as a Diwali gift, to Downing Street — which is amazing.
Sunak also identified cricket as a capable diplomatic tool.
“Cricket is such a helpful diplomatic tool.
PM lModi and he also always had great cricket chats before getting down to business. India are coming to England this summer. It’s going to be a great tour, and he is aware it will strengthen the partnership and friendship between our two countries,”Indis
News Edit KV Raman
