New Delhi: Fans at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur were left in disbelief after spotting former England football player and national team manager Gareth Southgate in the stands watching the IPL 2025 match between Rajasthan Royals and Mumbai Indians. Southgate was seen wearing the all-pink jersey of the Royals, supporting the home side in a crunch clash in Pink City.
Southgate is regarded as one of the influential football managers in recent times, having led England to the 2018 FIFA World Cup semi-finals, the UEFA Euro 2020 final, the 2022 FIFA World Cup quarter-finals, and the UEFA Euro 2024 final.
For his services to English football, he was appointed a Knight Bachelor in the 2025 New Year Honours in December 2024.
A legendary presence in the stands
As a player, Southgate featured in 57 international matches for the Three Lions between 1995 and 2004. A midfielder by trait, Southgate played for Crystal Palace, Aston Villa and Middlesbrough in the English Premier League – the most popular football league in the world.
Southgate has been on a sabbatical since leaving the England job in 2024.
After watching the legendary English manager in the stands, fans on social media expressed their disbelief and excitement.
Gareth Southgate watching RR vs MI match pic.twitter.com/yfyRyub9n7
— Yokeshwaran (@yogesh_gunners) May 1, 2025
Ermmm why am I seeing Gareth Southgate at the IPL
😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/NYvTX2wZOJ
— Akram🇵🇸 (@akrxm94) May 1, 2025
Gareth Southgate watching RR vs MI in Jaipur pic.twitter.com/OMc2TiYSH2
— RCBIANS OFFICIAL (@RcbianOfficial) May 1, 2025
We are seeing Gareth Southgate in a Rajasthan Royals jersey before GTA 6. pic.twitter.com/fObFUJvotK
— manan chipper (@MananChipper) May 1, 2025
Earlier, Rajasthan Royals’ stand-in skipper Riyan Parag won the toss and opted to bowl in a jam-packed Sawai Mansingh Stadium.
RR replaced injured duo Wanindu Hasaranga and Sandeep Sharma with Kumar Kartikeya and Akash Madhwal. Meanwhile, MI fielded an unchanged side.
Ryan Rickleton and Rohit Sharma both hit half-centuries and stitched a 116-run opening stand to give Mumbai a solid platform.
IPL 2025: After watching the legendary English manager in the stands for RR vs MI clash, fans on social media expressed their disbelief and excitement. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
