Lights, camera, sixes: Who’s rooting for whom?

With the IPL fever running at an all-time high, stars chat with Akash Bhatnagar, spilling their team picks, favourite players, and ultimate moments from the matches and different seasons. Let the battle royale begin — 10 teams, 10 celebrities!

Mu SUMEET VYAS

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I support MI because I live in Mumbai and they have Rohit Sharma, who is my favourite batter. He is the most relaxed cricketer I have seen in a while, and it’s relaxing to see him bat as a viewer. He makes the hardest shots look easy. The most memorable match for me was when MI beat CSK in the final three years ago. I saw that match, and it completely blew my mind.

SAIYAMI KHER

Delhi Capitals SUNNY HINDUJA

I have a special connection with DC. I am most excited for the comeback of Rishabh Pant. I am vouching for him and want him to create history by winning the first IPL for DC. In 2018, Pant played his best knock of life against SRH. Bhuvaneshwar Kumar was at his peak at the time, and Pant effortlessly hit his deliveries for sixes and boundaries and ended up not out.

SHANTANU MAHESHWARI

KKR fan from Kolkata here! Rinku Singh is my favourite; his skills are mindblowing. In 2015 IPL final between MI and CSK, surrounded by CSK fans, my friends and I were the only MI supporters, standing out in blue amid a sea of yellow jerseys, giving us looks. Also, I got to perform at the IPL closing ceremony long time ago.

KARAN TACKER

I am a proud Punjabi, and thus I am supporting PBKS. My favourite player in the squad is Shikhar Dhawan. He’s a great cricketer, a brilliant leader and a tough guy to compete with. But at the same time, he’s fun-loving with his approach, and his Instagram is full of funny reels as well. Right after college, I saw my first IPL game on the field, which had MI playing in Wankhede Stadium. It was a surreal experience to feel the energy live, but I still feel that my best memory is yet to come.

PEARL V PURI

I’m a die-hard supporter of RCB because of their electrifying performances and thrilling matches. Without a doubt, my fave player is the legendary Virat Kohli. One of the best memories I have of the RCB is their nailbiting victory against the

MI in 2020.

ELNAAZ NOROUZI

I am supporting the Gujarat Titans for their sheer grit and determination. My favourite players in the team were Hardik Pandya and Shubman Gill. While Pandya has now gone to the Mumbai Indians, I am loving how Gill is leading the team. I have so many memories of IPL to choose from, but every year, I just wait in front of my screen to create new ones.

VATSAL SHETH

I’m all in for LSG this season! Mayank Yadav bowls like a champ, hitting speeds over 150 kmph. My standout IPL memory? Cheering for Punjab amid a sea of Mumbai fans. When we took a wicket, the silence was golden, with only a few of us jumping for joy. Later, my friends, who spotted me on TV, messaged me to say you were cheering as Sachin Tendulkar got out!

VARDHAN PURI

Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Raj yals KARANVIR VOHRA I come from Rajasthan, and RR is the first-ever champion of the IPL, so I proudly support them. Yashasvi Jaiswal is like a machine gun when he comes on the crease. And being a true RR supporter, my favourite memory of the IPL is the first-ever final between RR and CSK in 2008.

For the sheer class that SRH players display, I really love them for it. has to be the player I look forward to seeing play the most. The attitude with which he bowls is just amazing. My most special IPL memory has to be the IPL finals in 2012 between KKR and CSK. It was the first time KKR became champions.

I am supporting CSK because, like most of the fans, I also feel that this is going to be Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s last IPL. He has relinquished his captaincy as well. I am here for the legend Dhoni, who has given us so many memories and made cricket special for us. Also, my friend Ajinkya Rahane plays for CSK.

PHOTOS: AFP, ANI, PTI AND INSTAGRAM Royal Challengers Bangalore

Lucknow Super Giants

Kolkata Knight Riders

Che p ings

Punjab Kings

yderabad