In a heartwarming moment capturing the essence of family and celebration, Virat Kohli was seen making a special connection with his family just moments after Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) commanding victory over Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the IPL 2025 season opener.
On March 22, 2025, following the match at the iconic Eden Gardens, Kohli made a video call to his wife, Anushka Sharma, and their children, Vamika and Akaay. Despite the media's camera focus, Kohli appeared fully engaged in conversation, even pulling playful faces to entertain his kids. The touching video clip of this interaction quickly went viral on social media, melting hearts among fans and followers.
But it wasn't just the heartfelt family moment that captured attention; Kohli's performance in the match was equally stellar. Scoring an unbeaten 59 runs off just 36 balls, Kohli’s innings not only led RCB to victory but also marked him as a milestone achiever. He became just the third batsman in IPL history to surpass 1,000 runs against KKR, joining the ranks of cricketing legends like David Warner and Rohit Sharma.
The match saw RCB claim a comfortable victory, largely due to dominance in bowling from Krunal Pandya, who took three wickets, restricting KKR to a modest total. Fans of RCB were left gleeful as their team dispatched the defending champions with a commanding seven-wicket win. RCB is set to play their next match against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on March 28, 2025, at MA Chidambaram Stadium.
In a twist that added an unusual flavor to the match day, a pitch invader disrupted the proceedings during the game. This incident unfolded in the 13th over, soon after Kohli had reached his fifty. The invader sprinted onto the pitch, embraced Kohli, and even fell at his feet. The playful disruption halted play for a few minutes as security escorted the enthusiastic fan off the field. This was reminiscent of a similar incident during the 2023 ODI World Cup final, highlighting the star's magnetic appeal.
The IPL 2025 opening ceremony, however, stole the complete show. The celebrations featured an electrifying moment when Virat Kohli danced alongside Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan to the hit song 'Jhoome Jo Pathaan,' captivating the audience and sending the internet buzzing. Shah Rukh Khan called Kohli the 'GOAT of IPL,' praising him for his dedication to a single team throughout the tournament’s history.
Shah Rukh Khan, who is also the co-owner of KKR, took the stage during the opening ceremony, which was replete with entertainment. In a light-hearted moment, he encouraged both Kohli and Rinku Singh to showcase their dance moves, remarking, “Kis gaane pe karoge?” Rinku Singh danced to 'Lutt Putt Gaya,' delighting the audience, before Kohli took the stage for their iconic duet.
The joyful performance with SRK made headlines as fans shared videos all over social media. The atmosphere at Eden Gardens was electric, with clips of Kohli and Khan dancing garnering millions of views. One fan remarked, “Both kings in one frame,” highlighting the camaraderie shared between Kohli and the Bollywood icon.
Reacting to the viral moment, Shah Rukh Khan enthusiastically stated, “Virat bhai is the only player who has been associated with just one team in the entirety of the IPL. He is the OG. The GOAT of IPL.” He added, “The king of 22 yards and a billion hearts. Let’s hear the loudest for the one and only the GOAT, Mr. Virat Kohli.” Such commendations from Khan reflect the mutual respect and admiration enjoyed by these two icons of Indian culture.
The IPL's opening match and celebrations not only showcased thrilling cricket but also created a platform for unforgettable moments, both on and off the field. With heartwarming family interactions, superstar dance-offs, and unique fan moments, the start of IPL 2025 has set an exhilarating tone for the season ahead. The fans, eager for more, are looking forward to what the rest of the tournament will hold.
