Drake bets Rs 6 crore on RCB to win first-ever IPL title ahead of final showdown against Punjab Kings

RCB, led in the final by Rajat Patidar, were in pursuit of their maiden IPL title since the league’s inception in 2008.

Canadian rapper Drake placed a high-stakes bet of $750,000 (approximately Rs 6.41 crore) on Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to win their first-ever Indian Premier League (IPL) title, just hours before the much-anticipated final against Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

Drake shared a screenshot of his bet on Instagram through the cryptocurrency-based betting platform Stake, where he frequently places bets on various global sporting events. In the post, the Grammy-winning artist revealed that he was backing RCB to lift the IPL trophy. With betting odds set at 1.75, Drake stood to win over $1.3 million (around Rs 11.11 crore) should RCB emerge victorious.

The post featured RCB's rallying cry, “Ee Sala Cup Namde,” a Kannada phrase which translates to “This year, the cup is ours.” The slogan, popular among RCB fans since the franchise's early days, took on global resonance with Drake’s endorsement, surprising many of his fans in North America—where cricket remains a relatively niche sport.

RCB, led in the final by Rajat Patidar, were in pursuit of their maiden IPL title since the league’s inception in 2008. They came into the final with momentum on their side, having secured a convincing win over PBKS in Qualifier 1. PBKS, captained by Shreyas Iyer, also sought their first championship and booked their final berth after a tense, high-pressure chase against Mumbai Indians in Qualifier 2.

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Both teams had been evenly matched historically, with the head-to-head record in the IPL standing at 18 wins each from their 36 encounters.

This year’s IPL final promised to be a historic affair, as it marked the first time in three seasons that a new champion would be crowned. The match also sparked a surge in global betting interest. Reports indicated that over a billion dollars had been wagered across various platforms during the 2025 IPL season, covering everything from individual deliveries to outright winners.

Drake’s massive bet added further intrigue to the final, amplifying international attention and excitement around the tournament. His involvement reflected the growing global reach of the IPL and the increasing visibility of cricket among international celebrities.

Much of RCB’s success this season was credited to the consistent form of star batter Virat Kohli, who had amassed over 600 runs in the 2025 campaign. However, Punjab Kings had their own match-winner in Shreyas Iyer, whose recent performances made him a formidable opponent in the title clash.