In the opening match of the Indian Premier League 2025, Virat Kohli stepped up to support Rajat Patidar on his debut as captain for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata on March 22. Winning the toss, Patidar chose to bowl first, a decision that quickly paid off as Josh Hazlewood took the first wicket, dismissing Quinton de Kock in the very first over.
After that initial breakthrough, Kohli was seen giving advice to Patidar, helping him navigate the early stages of his captaincy. While Patidar was stationed at slips, Kohli took charge near the pitch, ensuring that both he and Patidar worked together seamlessly to lead their team.
Hazlewood made an immediate impact, sending de Kock back to the pavilion on just the fifth ball of the tournament. Although his first over included a boundary, Hazlewood quickly rebounded with a well-placed bouncer that caught de Kock by surprise, resulting in an edge that was comfortably caught by wicketkeeper Jitesh Sharma.
Despite an early drop catch by Suyash Sharma, Hazlewood didn’t let it affect him. He kept up the pressure and managed to bowl a superb delivery that finally dismissed de Kock, leaving KKR at just four runs for one wicket after the first over. Following that setback, KKR’s captain Ajinkya Rahane and Sunil Narine worked together to stabilize their innings, and the team concluded the powerplay at 60 runs for the loss of one wicket.
As the league continues, fans are eager to see how both teams will perform in the upcoming matches.
