Who Is Malvika Nayak? The Woman Beside Anushka Sharma at IPL 2025 Match
At a high-stakes IPL 2025 Qualifier 1 match between Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Punjab Kings (PK), Anushka Sharma once again made headlines—not for her husband Virat Kohli’s on-field performance, but for the woman sitting beside her in the stands. As Kohli led RCB through a thrilling contest, the internet’s curiosity was piqued by the presence of a woman next to Anushka, sparking a flurry of online searches and speculation.
The Social Media Frenzy
Viewers, captivated by the moments captured on camera, quickly turned to platforms like Grok and Perplexity AI, posing questions such as “Who is sitting next to Anushka Sharma?” and “Is she Virat’s sister-in-law or someone from the team’s management?” Social media, as usual, erupted with theories, some speculating that the woman was Bhawna Kohli, Virat’s sister-in-law, while others suggested she might be Geeta Basra, wife of cricketer Harbhajan Singh.
Despite AI suggestions throwing up multiple possibilities, the real answer lay elsewhere—Malvika Nayak, a long-time friend of Anushka Sharma and a familiar face to those who closely follow the celebrity cricket circuit.
Who is Malvika Nayak?
Malvika Nayak is a business professional with an MBA degree from Manipal Academy of Higher Education. According to her LinkedIn profile, she currently oversees Business Development and Partnerships at Innoz Technologies Pvt. Ltd. Her personal and professional life intersect closely with the cricketing world—not only is she a friend of Anushka Sharma, but she is also married to Nikhil Sosale, who serves as the Head of Marketing & Revenue (RCB) at Diageo India.
This connection explains Malvika’s frequent presence at IPL games, especially those involving RCB. In fact, Malvika was also seen accompanying Anushka during a previous RCB fixture against Lucknow Super Giants. In that match, she was even spotted reacting to Rishabh Pant’s somersault celebration by mouthing the word “stupid,” which had also gone viral.
A Longstanding Friendship
Sources close to the duo reveal that Anushka and Malvika share a strong bond that goes back several years. They often go on double dates with their husbands and frequently attend cricket matches together. Their friendship, though low-profile, is evident through their public appearances and mutual camaraderie at various events.
In the video footage from Thursday’s match, Anushka and Malvika can be seen arriving together and sharing emotional, celebratory moments as RCB secured a crucial victory. While Anushka’s support for Virat has always been visible, her circle of close friends like Malvika adds a more personal touch to these appearances, turning them into wholesome, family-centric celebrations.
Shah Rukh Khan Moment? Not This Time
The buzz around Anushka and Malvika also overshadowed several other celebrity sightings at the IPL. Although fans are used to Bollywood stars making grand entries, the simplicity and relatability of Anushka sharing snacks and smiles with her friend struck a chord with many online. Twitter and Instagram were awash with posts hailing the duo’s friendship and celebrating the casual authenticity they brought to the match.
Anushka and Virat’s Public Presence
Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli are known for maintaining a balanced presence between their private and public lives. The couple, who married in 2017, are now parents to two children—Vamika and Akaay. Despite their busy professional schedules, they frequently attend major religious and sporting events together. Just days before the match, they made a spiritual trip to Ayodhya’s Hanuman Garhi temple, reinforcing their grounded values.
Anushka has been attending most of the RCB games this IPL season, often spotted celebrating the team’s wins enthusiastically from the stands. Her support for Kohli remains unwavering, and fans adore the actress for being his constant cheerleader, rain or shine.
The Bigger Picture
Beyond the social media frenzy, this moment served as a subtle reminder of how female friendships in the public eye are still a topic of curiosity and speculation. While celebrity couples often get most of the spotlight, moments like these shine a light on the bonds that support them behind the scenes.
The fact that a simple match-day appearance by a friend could ignite such interest underscores the star power that surrounds Anushka Sharma and the intrigue of the lives that orbit hers. In Malvika Nayak’s case, her poised presence and close ties to RCB make her a natural fit in the cricketing celebrity circle—one that fans are just beginning to notice more closely.
As RCB advances further in the tournament, fans can expect to see more of this dynamic duo in the stands. Whether it’s an emotional embrace after a thrilling win or a candid reaction to on-field antics, Anushka and Malvika’s IPL moments are proving to be just as exciting as the action on the pitch.
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