Avani lekhara

Sawai Mansingh Stadium: Former England men’s football team manager Gareth Southgate and India’s para shooter Avani Lekhara were spotted at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium during Thursday’s IPL 2025 match between Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Mumbai Indians (MI).

Southgate, who resigned as the England manager two days after their defeat to Spain in the final of UEFA Euro 2024, was seen wearing a special pink Rajasthan Royals jersey while watching the game with other foreign dignitaries in attendance. Southgate's affinity towards cricket is not a new development, as he has previously expressed his admiration for the Test team’s mindset during the 2023 Ashes.

Southgate had stepped down as the England manager after the side’s defeat to Spain in the 2024 Euro final. On the other hand, RR’s social media channels showed Avani, the two-time Paralympic gold medallist in women's 10m air rifle standing SH1, enjoying the action during the first innings.