Kohli stars as RCB condemn KKR to losing start in IPL opener
Virat Kohli top-scored as Royal Challengers Bengaluru began the 2025 Indian Premier League season with a seven-wicket victory over reigning champions Kolkata Knight Riders.
Kohli was 59 not out for RCB, who successfully chased down a target of 175 with 22 balls to spare at Eden Gardens on Saturday.
Despite the early loss of Quinton de Kock (four), who was bowled by Josh Hazlewood in the first over, new skipper Ajinkya Rahane (56) and Sunil Narine (44) – last year's MVP – dragged Kolkata to 107-1 in the first match of their title defence.
However, that momentum stalled as the pair were dismissed in the space of four balls – the second by Krunal Pandya (3-29), who also claimed Venkatesh Iyer (six) and Rinku Singh (12) later in the innings, which concluded with the Knight Riders at 174-8.
Kohli and Phil Salt (56), who was facing his former franchise, led RCB's charge, with the latter eventually sent packing by Varun Chakravarthy in the ninth over.
Though that did little to halt RCB's surge, with further contributions from Rajat Patidar (34), Devdutt Padikkal (10) and Liam Livingstone (15) seeing them over the line.
Milestone Unlocked
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Congratulations to the prolific Virat Kohli
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Data Debrief: Kohli victorious in milestone appearance
Kohli notched up another milestone as he stepped out for his 400th T20 match.
The 36-year-old, who is the leading run scorer in the history of the IPL, marked the occasion with an unbeaten half-century to kick-start what he hopes will be the season in which RCB finally get their hands on this trophy.
Though the Knight Riders made a losing start to their title defence, Narine still managed to make his mark.
During his knock of 44 off 26 balls, Narine struck his 100th six in the IPL.