Anushka Sharma cheers for Virat Kohli in the stands, bonds with Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues at RCB's opening match at IPL 2026

The Indian Premier League 2026 kicked off in style at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday, March 28, drawing a star-studded crowd as Royal Challengers Bengaluru faced Sunrisers Hyderabad. Among those in attendance was Anushka Sharma, who turned up to cheer for her husband Virat Kohli. This was a treat for fans who missed seeing Virat and Anushka when during World Cup 2026, one saw Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni with their wives, cheering for Team India. She was joined by RCB Women’s Premier League stars Smriti Mandhana and Shreyanka Patil, along with Jemimah Rodrigues. Their appearance came shortly after the women’s team’s title-winning run, underlining the growing bond between the men’s and women’s squads.Anushka, who had kept a relatively low public profile in recent months, made a much-anticipated return to the stands, delighting fans. The 'Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi' actor was seen enjoying the match alongside Mandhana, and their presence quickly became a talking point on social media. Dressed in a chic floral top and denims, Anushka exuded effortless elegance, while Mandhana, fresh from captaining RCB’s successful WPL campaign, was equally enthusiastic in supporting the team. Their easy camaraderie and visible excitement for the game sparked a wave of viral moments across social media. Virat Kohli dropped a catch and Anushka's reaction also went viral. Fans, however, had one special request for Anushka! Many urged her to don an RCB jersey to show full team spirit. Social media was flooded with comments praising her style while also expressing excitement over seeing her back in the stadium cheering for Kohli. Meanwhile on the movie front for Anushka, the actress has been largely away from the movies after embracing motherhood. She had shot for 'Chakda Xpress' but the film hasn't yet released.