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In a delightful crossover between Bollywood and cricket, Telugu superstar Vijay Deverakonda recently locked horns with Mumbai Indians’ (MI) young batting sensation Tilak Varma—not on a film set or cricket pitch, but on a pickleball court. This fun face-off happened ahead of the crucial IPL clash between MI and Gujarat Titans at the iconic Wankhede Stadium. What made the match more entertaining was a light-hearted wager: if Vijay lost, he promised to wear the MI jersey.
Vijay Deverakonda faces off against Tilak Varma in a pickle ball game
Known for his on-screen swagger, Vijay showed he’s not just about action and drama but can also bring game to the court. He paired up with a teammate to challenge Tilak and his partner in a friendly yet intense pickleball match. Despite having less experience, Vijay’s team triumphed 2-1, showcasing smart play and some unexpected finesse. The actor kept his cool under pressure and took the playful rivalry seriously, earning cheers from fans and even some onlookers from the MI camp.
Tilak, who has become one of MI’s promising stars this season, entered the contest with confidence. “If we lose, we have to do something for Vijay Anna,” he joked. The stakes were fun but clear—respect and bragging rights were on the line. And though it wasn’t his first time with the sport—he recently played with Rohit Sharma and his daughter Samaira—Tilak had to concede defeat this time.
Here’s the video:
🍿𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗘𝗡𝗚𝗘 🤝 𝘼𝘾𝘾𝙀𝙋𝙏𝙀𝘿 😂#MumbaiIndians #PlayLikeMumbai | @TilakV9 @TheDeverakonda pic.twitter.com/y80ZqGbJzo
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) May 5, 2025
Also READ: Gujarat Titans clear the air on Kagiso Rabada testing positive for recreational drug
Tilak’s sublime form in IPL 2025
The friendly wager added charm to the already buzzing IPL 2025 season. Vijay’s vow to don the blue and gold MI jersey if he lost was both a gesture of sportsmanship and an acknowledgment of the energy surrounding Mumbai Indians’ campaign. His win spared him the switch of allegiance—at least for now. However, the actor’s good-humoured challenge won hearts and highlighted the growing bond between cricket and celebrity culture.
As the real battle looms on the cricket field, Tilak will be hoping to bounce back in style against Gujarat Titans. With MI sitting strong in third position and eyeing a top-two finish, every match is crucial. Tilak, who has scored 239 runs in eight innings so far, including two half-centuries, remains a key player in the MI setup. Meanwhile, GT’s formidable lineup, including Shubman Gill and Jos Buttler, along with a returning Kagiso Rabada, will aim to break MI’s six-match winning streak at the Wankhede.
