Ananya Panday is shaking a leg and stirring the pot—at the IPL 2025, no less! On March 31, under the bright lights of Wankhede Stadium, she danced up a storm before the high-voltage clash between Mumbai Indians (MI) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).
Her performance turned heads, but here’s the kicker: while the crowd assumed she was rooting for MI on their home turf, her heart beats for KKR, and that’s not just filmi drama. She's not new to the stands—she’s a regular KKR cheerleader, even sneaking in match-time on her phone during shoots!

From dancing with Andre Russell to reliving old memories at Chepauk with Suhana Khan and Shanaya Kapoor, her KKR connection runs deep.
Let’s cut to the chase: Ananya Panday dancing at Wankhede before an MI match was like pouring sugar in a salt jar—unexpected and a little confusing for fans who know where her loyalties lie.
Let's not beat around the bush-critics are never on vacation. When Ananya performed at MI's home ground, even though she's a known KKR girl, fans lit up the comment sections like Diwali. One social media user commented that IPL's planning seemed strategic, noting that Sara Ali Khan performed ahead of the Rajasthan Royals match, while Ananya Panday was set to perform before Mumbai Indians, drawing a parallel with players Riyan Parag and Hardik Pandya.
Another fan was critical of the selection, questioning why Ananya Panday was chosen for an event as big as IPL's 18th season. "Come on, IPL is now 18 years old and you got Ananya Panday to perform. Find someone better or are you all cost-cutting this season?" the fan wrote.
But here's the tea: IPL isn't just about sixes and wickets anymore. It's also about spectacle, showbiz, and let's be honest-strategy. Just like Sara Ali Khan danced before a Rajasthan Royals match, Ananya's act was more about entertainment value than team allegiance.
Ananya doesn’t just watch KKR matches; she lives them. Back in April 2024, while shooting, she was caught catching a KKR vs RCB game on her phone. She’s not the kind to jump ship just for screen time. Her connection to KKR isn’t a publicity stunt; it’s years in the making.
There’s something to be said about “old is gold”, and her relationship with the franchise has roots deeper than a cricket pitch. Whether it's the time she flew to Chennai with Suhana Khan, twelve years after their first KKR match together, or joining hands (and hips!) with Russell for a victory jig, her heart has clearly chosen its team.
They say “birds of a feather flock together”, and Ananya, Suhana Khan, and Shanaya Kapoor are living proof. Ananya Panday revealed that after KKR's first IPL win, Shah Rukh Khan affectionately referred to her, Suhana Khan, and Shanaya Kapoor as his 'lucky charms'.
While fans may raise eyebrows at her performing at MI’s fortress, her loyalty never flinched. Sometimes, actions speak louder than stadium choices.
So, what’s the final verdict? Simple—Ananya Panday is, and has always been, a Kolkata Knight Riders girl. You can dress her in MI blue for a performance, but her cricketing heart will always bleed purple and gold.
Want to know who’s dancing next? Or maybe which actor will trade Bollywood for boundary lines? Stick around. In IPL, even the off-field drama deserves a front-row seat.