Former England football manager Gareth Southgate will carry on his surprise Indian cricket tour after visiting the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) vs Rajasthan Royals (RR) match at Eden Gardens tomorrow. His surprise visit earlier this week at Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur, during which he wore an RR jersey for their face-off against the Mumbai Indians, had already created a stir on social media.

The veteran football strategist, who led England to the semifinals of the 2018 FIFA World Cup and back-to-back European Championship finals in 2020 and 2024, looked very much involved when he watched the IPL match at Jaipur. Sitting next to Olympic medallist and BJP MP Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, Southgate was observed intently watching the proceedings and cheering both teams which indicated a non-committal yet positive attitude towards the high-velocity nature of cricket.

Supporters were both amazed and fascinated by his appearance, with many guessing at a deeper cricket affiliation. Some even discovered a 2016 village cricket scorecard, where Southgate, after England's early Euro exit, was spotted playing for Yorkshire's Nidderdale League. That ancient tale, combined with his recent IPL 2025 appearances, suggests a long but secret love of the game.

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After Jaipur,  Southgate set to witness more IPL action 

Though his first-time IPL appearance concluded in disappointment for the Royals, who were eliminated from the playoff contention following a 100-run thrashing at the hands of Mumbai Indians, Southgate's sporting interest remained unfazed. His next trip to Eden Gardens one of the world's most famous cricket arenas promises another drama, particularly with both KKR and RR seeking vital points during the final leg of the league stage.

Southgate resigned as England manager in mid-2024 after a close loss to Spain in the Euro final.Sitting idle and with a clear love for sport, his tour of India is generating cross-sport admiration and even suggestions of possible collaborations on coaching, leadership, or sporting development.

Whether this is a portent of more serious engagement with cricket or just a post-retirement indulgence, Southgate's IPL tour has already won fans on two continents.