As Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) chase their elusive maiden IPL title against Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the 2025 final, global support is pouring in including from an unexpected corner: Canadian rapper Drake.
Known for his high-stakes gambling habits, Drake revealed on Instagram that he has wagered $750,000 on RCB to lift the IPL trophy. The bet, placed via the crypto-betting platform Stake, could earn him $1.312 million if Virat Kohli’s team defeats PBKS at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Tuesday night.
Drake’s Instagram story featured a screengrab of the betting slip, captioned with RCB’s iconic slogan: “Ee sala cup namde” a Kannada phrase meaning “this year, the cup is ours.” The post left many of his North American fans baffled by his interest in cricket, a sport with limited mainstream following in that region. Comments ranged from confusion to curiosity, with one fan asking, “We betting on cricket now?”
This high-stakes finale marks a historic opportunity for both franchises. Despite being part of the Indian Premier League since its inception in 2008, neither RCB nor PBKS have ever secured the title. RCB last reached the final in 2016, powered by Virat Kohli’s record-setting 973-run season. Kohli has continued that form this year, already scoring over 600 runs in the 2025 campaign.
PBKS, led by Shreyas Iyer, have made a strong statement throughout the tournament and pose a serious challenge to RCB’s long-awaited championship hopes.
As always, the IPL final is a magnet for celebrity sightings. Punjab co-owner Preity Zinta is expected to be present, along with actor RJ Mahvash, rumoured to be dating PBKS spinner Yuzvendra Chahal. Anushka Sharma, wife of Kohli, is also expected to attend, alongside other Bollywood stars filling the 125,000-capacity stadium.
With record bets being placed globally ranging from $5 to thousands and total betting volumes estimated to cross a billion dollars this season, Drake’s gamble has only amplified the spectacle.