'Is that Gareth Southgate at an IPL game?' ¡ª Fans baffled and confused by his appearance at RR vs MI match

After a strong, dusty breeze and light rain briefly interrupted play, another unexpected appearance left Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 fans baffled. But this time, it wasn't the weather ¡ª it was a surprising a famous sports personality. Former England football manager Gareth Southgate was spotted at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur, watching the thrilling match between Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Mumbai Indians (MI).

Wearing an RR jersey, Southgate was seen sitting in the stands with family and friends. As soon as the camera panned to him, fans flooded social media, questioning whether it was really him or just a lookalike.

Who is Gareth Southgate

For those who do not know, football manager Gareth Southgate led England to back-to-back European Championship finals and a semifinal finish at the 2018 World Cup. The 54-year-old stepped down from the role shortly after England's loss against Spain in the Euro 2024 final in July.

He recently became the 4th former England manager to receive a knighthood, joining the ranks of Alf Ramsey, Walter Winterbottom, and Bobby Robson.

Fans ask if it is Gareth Southgate?

Many took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to question if it was really him in the stands. One said, "Gareth Southgate at an IPL game was never on my bucket list".

gareth southgate at an ipl game was never on my bucket list

¡ª VG (@jumpmancc) May 1, 2025

Another said, "Why is Gareth Southgate at the IPL match in Jaipur?"

Why is Gareth Southgate at the IPL match in Jaipur?

¡ª 21 Puns (@RajatGururaj) May 1, 2025

One wrote, "Just saw former England football team manager, Gareth Southgate, in the stands at Jaipur!"

Just saw former England football team manager, Gareth Southgate, in the stands at Jaipur!

¡ª Janab Joshua??? (@darkestcommie) May 1, 2025

Another wrote, "Ermmm why am I seeing Gareth Southgate at the IPL".

Ermmm why am I seeing Gareth Southgate at the IPL

??? pic.twitter.com/NYvTX2wZOJ

¡ª Akram?? (@akrxm94) May 1, 2025

One added, "Wtf Gareth Southgate doing at IPL?"

Wtf gareth Southgate doing at IPL? pic.twitter.com/WOWicQahkP

¡ª Shockerz (@Shockerzz_) May 1, 2025

Teams

Rajasthan Royals (Playing XI): Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Nitish Rana, Riyan Parag(c), Dhruv Jurel(w), Shimron Hetmyer, Jofra Archer, Maheesh Theekshana, Kumar Kartikeya, Akash Madhwal, Fazalhaq Farooqi
Impact Subs: Shubham Dubey, Tushar Deshpande, Kunal Singh Rathore, Yudhvir Singh Charak, Kwena Maphaka

Mumbai Indians (Playing XI): Ryan Rickelton(w), Rohit Sharma, Will Jacks, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya(c), Naman Dhir, Corbin Bosch, Deepak Chahar, Trent Boult, Jasprit Bumrah
Impact Subs: Raj Bawa, Satyanarayana Raju, Robin Minz, Reece Topley, Karn Sharma

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