The Indian Premier League has long transcended the boundaries of cricket, drawing global attention from fans and celebrities alike. On Thursday night in Jaipur, the electric atmosphere of the IPL 2025 clash between Rajasthan Royals and Mumbai Indians was further elevated by a special guest in the stands former England football manager Gareth Southgate.
The 54-year-old, best known for his leadership of the England national football team, was spotted wearing a specially designed pink Rajasthan Royals jersey. The Royals are wearing a new kit to mark the annual ‘Pink promise’ day, in which the franchise are taking various initiatives to support women-led transformation in Rajasthan.
Despite the Royals facing a tough outing on the field with Mumbai piling on a massive score in the first innings Southgate appeared to enjoy the experience thoroughly. Cameras captured the ex-footballer watching intently from the stands, fully immersed in the match-day spirit. His appearance at the IPL not only highlighted the global appeal of the tournament but also symbolized the shared love for sport that crosses disciplines
Gareth Southgate’s football career
A veteran of over 500 appearances in English football, Southgate retired from professional play in 2008. He transitioned quickly into management, first taking charge of Middlesbrough, his former club, before moving on to coach England’s Under-21 side. His tenure with the senior England team began in 2016 and was marked by deep tournament runs, including back-to-back UEFA Euro final appearances in 2020 and 2024, both ending in narrow defeats.
Royals crash out of IPL 2025 Playoff race
Rajasthan Royals IPL 2025 campaign sadly came to an end after losing to Mumbai Indians by 100 runs. They are the second team after Chennai Super Kings to miss out in the race to the playoffs. Chasing 218 runs for victory, the Royals were bowled out for just 117 runs. Followign the victory Mumbai are currently on top of the IPL 2025 points table.
