Virat Kohli shines with unbeaten 59*, becomes third player to score 1000+ IPL runs against Kolkata Knight Riders; BCCI and Shah Rukh Khan honour the RCB star at a grand opening ceremony.
Kolkata, March 23 – Cricket met celebration in true IPL fashion as Virat Kohli kicked off the 2025 season with a power-packed performance and a star-studded stage moment. On Saturday, during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s commanding win over Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens, Kohli became only the third player in IPL history to score over 1,000 runs against KKR.
“The King of 22 yards and a billion hearts,” as introduced by superstar Shah Rukh Khan, lived up to the hype with an unbeaten 59 off 36 balls, smashing 4 fours and 3 sixes in trademark style.
Kohli’s KKR Milestone
With this latest knock, Kohli joined elite company—David Warner (1093) and Rohit Sharma (1070)—as batters who have scored 1000+ runs against Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL history.
The Eden Gardens witnessed vintage Kohli as he calmly anchored RCB’s chase and added another milestone to his staggering IPL journey.
Honoured with ‘IPL 18’ Memento
Before the action unfolded on the pitch, BCCI President Roger Binny felicitated Kohli with a special ‘IPL 18’ memento in recognition of his loyalty and contribution to the league. Kohli, who has played all 18 seasons for RCB, is also IPL’s highest run-getter with 8,004 runs in 252 matches, including 8 centuries and 55 fifties.
Kohli Meets Khan: A Bollywood-Cricket Crossover Moment
The evening turned into a celebration of charisma as Kohli shared the stage with Bollywood icon Shah Rukh Khan during the IPL opening ceremony. The duo danced to the hit song ‘Jhoome Jo Pathaan’, igniting thunderous cheers from the crowd.
“Let’s hear it loudest for the one and only GOAT – Virat Kohli,” Shah Rukh roared on the mic, uniting cricket and cinema fans in a moment of pure IPL magic.
A T20 Titan’s Legacy
Kohli’s performance also marked his 400th T20 appearance, another testament to the longevity and impact of his illustrious career. Though the coveted IPL trophy still eludes him, the milestones and the love of fans keep cementing his legacy as one of the greatest ever.