The high-voltage IPL 2025 Qualifier 1 between Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) didn’t just deliver on cricketing drama, it also set off a storm of speculation off the field. RJ Mahvash, rumoured to be dating PBKS spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, was seen looking visibly upset in the stands as Chahal’s team crumbled to a heavy defeat.Seated alongside podcaster Shubhankar Mishra, Mahvash wore a red strapless top and maintained a somber expression throughout the game. Her subdued body language, especially as PBKS’s batting line-up collapsed, quickly caught the attention of fans and sparked fresh buzz on social media.Relationship rumours heat up againAlthough neither Mahvash nor Chahal has confirmed their rumoured relationship, her emotional presence at the stadium, combined with her reaction to the loss, has only added fuel to the fire. Many fans online questioned her appearance with Shubhankar Mishra, wondering aloud if she was there to support Chahal or if the sighting meant something more.Adding intrigue, a video resurfaced online showing Mahvash at Chahal’s hotel just days before the match. Attempting to go incognito in a hoodie and face mask, she was seen rushing toward an elevator after being recognised. While the hotel’s location remains undisclosed, she was reportedly there specifically to visit the star cricketer.“He is the most caring person”: Mahvash praises ChahalIn a recent interview with Instant Bollywood, Mahvash had high praise for Chahal. “He is a great and the most caring person you’ll ever find. He is so available for his people, so I would steal his nature,” she said. When asked what she would steal from him, she added: “His niceness and how humble he is.”These remarks, though made prior to the Qualifier 1, are now being revisited by fans as further hints about the nature of their bond.
PBKS heartbreak, Preity Zinta’s disappointment, and Anushka’s joyMahvash wasn’t the only one left heartbroken. PBKS co-owner Preity Zinta was also seen looking emotional in the stands, as her team’s hopes of a direct entry into the IPL final were dashed. However, all is not lost—PBKS still has a shot at the title as they head to Qualifier 2, where they’ll face the winner of Eliminator 1.In stark contrast, RCB’s camp was jubilant. Anushka Sharma, actress and wife of Virat Kohli, was seen cheering ecstatically as RCB clinched their place in the final. Her celebratory reaction, including hugs and laughter, went viral, mirroring the heartbreak of Mahvash and Preity in the PBKS camp.
