Virat Kohli once again demonstrated his mastery of the chase with an unbeaten half-century as Royal Challengers Bengaluru stormed to a resounding seven-wicket victory over defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL 2025 opener on Saturday.
Krunal Pandya’s match-defining spell of 3/29 ensured that KKR failed to post a formidable total, restricting them to 174/8.
Ajinkya Rahane, in his first match as KKR captain, struck a fluent 25-ball fifty, while Sunil Narine contributed 44 off 26.
The duo stitched together a 103-run stand for the third wicket off 55 balls, propelling KKR to a strong platform.
However, their efforts were undone as Krunal struck at crucial junctures, dismissing Rahane, Venkatesh Iyer (6), and Rinku Singh (12) in successive overs.
RCB’s chase was spearheaded by Phil Salt, who played a blistering 31-ball 56, laced with nine boundaries and two sixes.
Opening alongside Kohli, he took the attack to KKR’s Varun Chakravarthy, smashing him for 4-6-4-4 in a single over.
Kohli, undeterred, carried on the assault, reaching his fifty in just 30 deliveries.
His elegant 36-ball innings, featuring three sixes and four boundaries, sealed RCB’s victory in 16.2 overs.
The high-voltage contest saw a moment of frenzy when a pitch invader rushed onto the field and bowed at Kohli’s feet, underlining the adulation he commands.
Also read: Shah Rukh, Kohli dance steals IPL 2025 opening show
Skipper Rajat Patidar (34 off 16; 5x4, 1x6) provided the finishing touches, taking Nitish Rana apart with four boundaries in a single over, leaving RCB with just 18 runs required off the final 30 balls.
Earlier, Josh Hazlewood impressed with the new ball, finishing with figures of 2/22 as RCB opted to field first.
KKR’s much-hyped lower middle order, including their record INR 23.75 crore signing Venkatesh Iyer, struggled to make an impact, managing only 23 runs in the last four overs.
The 18th season of the IPL began with a grand spectacle, featuring a 35-minute musical performance, followed by Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan’s electrifying introduction of Kohli.
"Virat Bhai is the only player who has been playing in the IPL since its inception, staying with the same team -- RCB -- for all 18 years," declared Shah Rukh. "He is the OG (original gangster), the one and only GOAT."
Kohli responded with a smile, saying, "Thank you, Shah Rukh Bhai, for the lovely introduction… Yes, the bold generation is coming up strong, but the old generation is still here, ready to make an impact."
With this emphatic victory, RCB have laid down an early marker in IPL 2025, while KKR will look to regroup after a disappointing start.
Follow us
