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In a touching moment that transcended the final scoreline, Punjab Kings (PBKS) co-owner Preity Zinta embraced captain Shreyas Iyer in a warm, consoling hug after the team’s 50-run loss to Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the IPL 2025 clash at Mullanpur on Saturday. The heartfelt gesture, captured on camera, quickly went viral, with fans calling it a “Jadoo Ki Jhappi” (magical embrace)—a symbol of empathy, leadership and unwavering support.
Preity Zinta’s emotional embrace goes viral
Attending her first match of the season, Preity —dressed in a graceful white Punjabi suit—rushed onto the field moments after PBKS’s defeat was sealed. As a visibly disappointed Shreyas led his team off, Preity wrapped him in a genuine hug, whispering words of encouragement that struck a chord with cricket fans across the nation. The scene lit up social media, where hashtags like #JadooKiJhappi and #PreityZinta trended as users praised her for showing the human side of cricket.
One user wrote, “Wins and losses come and go, but that hug from Preity Zinta was the real win of the night.” Fans lauded her for being the emotional anchor of the team, especially during tough moments.
Preity Zinta backs her captain in highs and lows
The loss came after an encouraging start of Punjab Kings in the IPL 2025. Just days earlier, Shreyas Iyer had produced a stellar 97 not out against Gujarat Titans, showcasing selfless leadership and match-winning intent. Preity praised that knock, tweeting, “Some 97s are better than a hundred,” reinforcing her belief in his leadership.
Despite the defeat against RE, where PBKS managed only 145/8 chasing 195/5, Preity’s post-match gesture sent a strong message—that leadership and effort matter more than the scoreboard.
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Fan-favourite owner still stealing the show
After the game, Preity continued her signature tradition of throwing team merchandise into the stands, drawing cheers from the Mullanpur crowd.
Her connection with the fans, both online and in stadiums, remains one of the defining aspects of the Punjab Kings brand.
With two more home fixtures lined up in quick succession, Preity’s presence is expected to continue energizing the team. Players and coaching staff have long credited her positive energy as a motivating factor.
