Who is the woman next to Anushka Sharma during last night's IPL match? Spare Grok and Perplexity, we have the answer

Internet is bombarded with queries about Anushka Sharma's friend who joined her for the RCB vs PK match on Thursday night.

Published on: May 30, 2025, 09:29:56 IST

By Soumya Srivastava

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Anushka Sharma was once again in the stands to support and cheer for husband Virat Kohli and his Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) during Thursday's IPL finals qualifier match. The actor celebrated the team's win with a friend who sat right next to her. And now, the internet is buzzing with queries about latter's identity.

Anushka Sharma and Malvika Nayak in the stands during the match.

Cricket fans who watched the match bombarded Grok and Perplexity on Twitter with questions about her. “Who is she?” or “Who is the woman next to Anushka?” Both the AI tools were mostly clueless. They suggested it was Virat's sister-in-law Bhawna Kohli or even Harbhajan Singh's wife Geeta Basra.

However, it was neither.

Anushka Sharma's friend revealed

The woman next to Anushka is her friend Malvika Nayak. The two have been friends for a long while and often go on double dates with their husbands and to cricket matches. Malvika also accompanied Anushka for the last match between Lucknow Super Giants and RCB. She was spotted mouthing ‘stupid’ at Rishab Pant's somersault celebration.

As per her LinkedIn profile, Malvika is an MBA graduate from Manipal Academy of Higher Education. She is now looking after Business Development & Partnerships at Innoz Technologies Pvt.Ltd.

Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma with Malvika and Nikhil.

Malvika is married to Nikhil Sosale, Head of Marketing & Revenue - (RCB) at Diageo India. Anushka and Virat have previously been spotted hanging out with Nikhil and Malvika.

About Anushka and Virat

RCB faced off Punjab Kings in Qualifier 1, continuing their strong run in the ongoing tournament.

Anushka Sharma has been a frequent presence at the ongoing IPL 2025 matches, showing her unwavering support for her husband.

In a recent spiritual visit on May 25, Anushka and Virat visited Ayodhya, where they paid their respects at the Hanuman Garhi temple.

The couple, who tied the knot in 2017, are parents to two children, Vamika and Akaay.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Soumya Srivastava
Soumya Srivastava is the Entertainment and Lifestyle Editor at Hindustan Times, bringing over a decade of experience covering movies, celebrities, pop culture, and everything that feels current and compelling. With a sharp editorial lens and an instinct for what resonates, she writes stories that balance insight with accessibility — whether she’s reporting from a red carpet, reviewing a buzzy new release, or unpacking the craft behind cinema. An unabashed Swiftie and a devoted admirer of Christopher Nolan’s filmmaking, Soumya blends heart and analysis in equal measure. She holds a degree in English Literature from Janki Devi Memorial College, Delhi University, and is an alumna of IIMC Dhenkanal (2013). As a Rotten Tomatoes Certified Film Critic, her reviews reflect credibility, cultural awareness, and a nuanced understanding of storytelling across genres and formats. She has interviewed celebrities like Celine Song, Zoya Akhtar, Kajol, Shabana Azmi, Pankaj Tripathi and more. She has also reviwes hundreds of movies and written thousands of stories, made videos, special columns and more. While films remain her first love, Soumya’s interests extend deeply into lifestyle and design. She is particularly drawn to décor, thoughtfully designed spaces, and the subtle ways aesthetics influence everyday living. From celebrity homes and interior trends to broader lifestyle movements, she enjoys exploring how personal taste intersects with identity and modern culture. Her voice is informed yet relatable, analytical yet warm — making her work engaging for a wide and diverse readership. Through her writing, Soumya continues to shape conversations around entertainment, lifestyle, and contemporary culture.Read More

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