Did Gareth Southgate and Avani Lekhara Attend the IPL 2025 Game in Jaipur?
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Synopsis
In a memorable IPL 2025 game, former England football manager Gareth Southgate and two-time Paralympic gold medalist Avani Lekhara were spotted at Sawai Mansingh Stadium. Their presence highlighted the intersection of sports and social initiatives, especially the RR’s pink promise initiative aimed at empowering women in Rajasthan.
Key Takeaways
- Gareth Southgate attended IPL 2025, showcasing his love for cricket.
- Avani Lekhara enjoyed the match and supported social causes.
- The pink promise initiative empowers women in rural Rajasthan.
- RR contributed funds for each six hit during the match.
- MI's strong performance kept them in the race for the top of the points table.
Jaipur, May 1 (NationPress) The renowned former manager of the England men’s football team, Gareth Southgate, alongside India's esteemed para shooter Avani Lekhara, were seen at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium during the IPL 2025 clash between Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Mumbai Indians (MI) on Thursday.
Southgate, who vacated his position as England's manager shortly after their loss to Spain in the UEFA Euro 2024 final, donned a distinctive pink jersey representing Rajasthan Royals while enjoying the match among other international guests. His passion for cricket is well-documented; he has previously lauded the Test team’s spirit during the 2023 Ashes series.
Following his resignation after the Euro 2024 final, Southgate was joined by Avani Lekhara, a two-time gold medallist at the Paralympics in the women's 10m air rifle standing SH1 category, who was also seen relishing the game during the first innings, as highlighted by RR's social media platforms.
In a heartwarming moment, Kumar Sangakkara, RR’s director of cricket, presented Avani with a special pink jersey in a video shared on their social media channels. In a gesture of gratitude, Avani gifted Sangakkara and the franchise a signed jersey that the Indian Paralympic team wore last year.
The video caption expressed, “Thanks again Sanga and Avani! Can we quickly have the jersey in? Thank you very much for coming. Thanks for supporting us also,” highlighting the camaraderie shared.
The all-pink jerseys showcased by RR in the match against MI are part of the franchise’s pink promise initiative, driven by the Royal Rajasthan Foundation (RRF), which focuses on empowering women in rural Rajasthan.
This initiative contributes ₹100 from every match ticket sold and proceeds from the special pink jerseys towards supporting women-led transformation in Rajasthan. For every six hit during the game, the initiative will also help provide solar power to six homes in the Sambhar region.
As for the match, Ryan Rickleton and Rohit Sharma each scored 61 and 53 runs, respectively, while Suryakumar Yadav and captain Hardik Pandya delivered strong finishes with unbeaten scores of 48, propelling MI to an impressive total of 217/2 in their allotted 20 overs against RR. A victory for MI would extend their winning streak, enhance their net run rate, and elevate them to the top of the points table.
Point of View
I emphasize the importance of events like these that not only entertain but also promote social causes. The presence of notable figures such as Gareth Southgate and Avani Lekhara at IPL matches showcases the unity of sports and community upliftment, aligning with our mission to advocate for impactful change.
NationPress
01/05/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were spotted at the IPL 2025 match?
Former England football manager Gareth Southgate and para shooter Avani Lekhara were seen at the match.
What is the significance of the pink jerseys worn by Rajasthan Royals?
The pink jerseys are part of the pink promise initiative, which supports women-led transformation in rural Rajasthan.
What did Avani Lekhara gift to Kumar Sangakkara?
Avani presented a signed jersey worn by the Indian Paralympic team to Kumar Sangakkara.
How does the pink promise initiative contribute to social causes?
The initiative donates ₹100 from each match ticket sold and proceeds from jersey sales to support women's empowerment projects.
What was the match score between Rajasthan Royals and Mumbai Indians?
Mumbai Indians scored 217/2 in 20 overs against Rajasthan Royals.
