Anushka Sharmas ₹28 lakh Cartier watch becomes the unexpected fashion highlight of RCBs IPL triumph

Royal Challengers Bengaluru's IPL 2026 title victory may have belonged to Virat Kohli and his team on the field, but in the stands, Anushka Sharma once again demonstrated the growing power of celebrity fashion in the social media era.

As RCB defeated Gujarat Titans in the final at Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium, fans online quickly shifted their attention from the cricketing drama to a luxury accessory spotted on Sharma's wrist — what appeared to be a Cartier Panthère watch reportedly worth nearly ₹28 lakh.

Dressed in an understated white outfit, Sharma kept her match-day appearance minimal and elegant, a styling approach that has increasingly become part of her public image. But it was the watch — one of Cartier's most recognisable luxury designs — that triggered a wave of online discussion across fashion and fan pages.

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The Cartier Panthère, often described as a hybrid between jewellery and watchmaking, has long held cult status among celebrities and luxury collectors. Known for its bracelet-style construction, square dial and polished gold finish, the timepiece has become a recurring symbol of understated wealth rather than overt extravagance.

The moment also highlighted the growing overlap between sports broadcasting, celebrity culture and luxury branding. IPL finals have increasingly evolved into high-visibility lifestyle events where fashion choices, accessories and celebrity appearances generate almost as much online engagement as the matches themselves.

For luxury brands, these unscripted moments have become especially valuable. A courtside or stadium appearance by a celebrity can now create viral visibility within minutes, often without a formal endorsement campaign.

Sharma's appearance came amid an emotionally charged evening for RCB fans, as Virat Kohli guided the franchise to another IPL title and later celebrated on the field with his wife. Videos of the couple dancing and celebrating quickly went viral across social media platforms.

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This is not the first time Sharma's IPL appearances have sparked fashion conversations. Earlier in the tournament, her floral Sézane top worn during an RCB match also drew attention online for its premium pricing and effortless styling.

The larger trend reflects how celebrity-driven sports fashion has evolved into a parallel economy of its own, particularly in India, where the IPL increasingly functions as a convergence point for entertainment, luxury and influencer culture.

In the end, while RCB lifted the trophy, luxury fashion brands may also have walked away with a win — thanks to a watch that became one of the most talked-about accessories of the tournament final.

First Published on June 1, 2026, 11:08:13 IST