It’s not just PBKS vs RCB, but it’s also Drake vs Karan Aujla: Canadian rapper Drake placed a big bet of \$750,000 (about ₹6.41 crore) on Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to win their first IPL title. He made the bet just a few hours before the final match against Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Drake’s Bold Bet on RCB
Drake posted a screenshot of his bet on Instagram using Stake, a crypto-based betting site he often uses for sports bets. In the post, the Grammy-winning rapper showed his support for RCB to win the IPL trophy. With odds of 1.75, he could win over \$1.3 million (about ₹11.11 crore) if RCB won.
The post included RCB’s famous slogan, “Ee Sala Cup Namde,” which means “This year, the cup is ours” in Kannada. This chant has been popular with RCB fans for years. With Drake supporting the team, the slogan gained worldwide attention and surprised many of his fans in North America, where cricket isn’t very well known.
THE DRAKE CURSE
This isn’t the first time Drake has bet on a big game. Over the years, the “Drake Curse” has become a popular sports superstition. It refers to teams or athletes losing important matches after being linked to him – whether through a photo, a jersey, or his support.
It started as a joke online but grew as stars like Serena Williams, Conor McGregor, PSG, and the Toronto Raptors lost after being seen with him. Lately, the curse includes Drake’s public bets. In many cases, the teams or players he supports end up losing, keeping the myth alive.
Karan Aujla’s Massive Wager on Punjab Kings
Meanwhile, on the other hand, Punjabi singer and rapper Karan Aujla is supporting his home team, the Punjab Kings. He placed a bet of ₹24.2 crore on the final match. If Punjab Kings win, he could win around ₹28.1 crore.
A Historic IPL Final With Even Odds
RCB, led by Rajat Patidar, were aiming for their first IPL title since the league began in 2008. They had strong momentum after beating PBKS in Qualifier 1. PBKS, led by Shreyas Iyer, also wanted their first title and reached the final by defeating Mumbai Indians in a tense chase.
The teams were evenly matched, with 18 wins each from 36 games. This final was special as a new champion would be crowned for the first time in three years. It also saw huge global betting, with over a billion dollars placed during the 2025 season.
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