"When RCB won, I went crazy" - Bollywood actress' stunning claim on love for Virat Kohli ahead of IPL 2026 retention

Bollywood actress Shehnaaz Gill expressed her admiration for veteran batter Virat Kohli, admitting that she went crazy when Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) won the IPL 2025 title. In the final, RCB defeated Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Ahmedabad by six runs to claim their maiden championship.

During her appearance on the YouTube podcast with Ranveer Allahbadia, released on Monday, November 11, Shehnaaz said she had wanted Punjab to win, as she belongs to that state, but found herself being partial to Kohli. The 31-year-old added:

“When RCB won, I went crazy. I went completely crazy. I mean, I’m from Punjab, but a little bit because of my connection with Virat Kohli. Otherwise, there was nothing else. I wanted Punjab to win anyway, but because of Virat Kohli, I had to be a little partial."

Shehnaaz further spoke about the bond between Kohli and his wife Anushka Sharma, noting that there’s something about the Delhi-born batter and his aura that makes so many people love him. She said:

"I like his style (Virat Kohli) and the bonding he has with Anushka, which we get to see in the stadium too. His focus is always there. I think the connection between them is a really sweet, pure bond. Also, the way he plays, his style, his attitude, and the way he gets into arguments in between (aur jaise lad padta hai beech mai), it looks good, the fight. I like him; there’s just something about him, the aura, everyone in the world likes him. Of course, everyone has their own preferences, but I like him.”

She further mentioned that she also likes the attitude of India batter and PBKS skipper Shreyas Iyer, saying:

"I also like him from Punjab Kings (PBKS), Shreyas Iyer. He’s good too. I like his attitude."

In the 2025 edition, Iyer became only the second Punjab Kings captain to lead the franchise to the IPL final, after George Bailey achieved the feat in the 2014 edition.

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“RCB belongs to him” - Shehnaaz on whether she will support the franchise once Virat Kohli retires

During the same conversation, Shehnaaz Gill was asked if she would continue supporting RCB after Virat Kohli retires, to which she replied:

"Why wouldn’t I? After all, RCB belongs to him. And they won after so many years, of course one feels proud."

Meanwhile, it will be intriguing to see which players the franchise retains ahead of the IPL 2026 auction, as the retention deadline of November 15 approaches.