The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 kicked off with a spectacular opening ceremony at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata, and the night was nothing short of a blockbuster. With electrifying performances by Shreya Ghoshal, Disha Patani, and Karan Aujla, the event reached its peak when Bollywood superstar and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) co-owner Shah Rukh Khan took the stage as the host.
Known for his charismatic persona, SRK ensured the crowd remained on their feet, especially when he invited two of the biggest stars of the IPL—Virat Kohli and Rinku Singh. In true King Khan style, SRK welcomed Kohli with grand praise, calling him the “King of 22 yards,” the “heart of a billion people,” and the “GOAT of cricket.” He playfully referred to Virat as the “OG Gen Old of the IPL,” highlighting his remarkable loyalty to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) since the league’s inception in 2008.
In a candid moment, Shah Rukh humorously yet thoughtfully asked Kohli, “Do you think the IPL will continue to shine as it does with legends like you, or will the Generation Bold make a bigger, faster impact?”
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Kohli, known for his quick wit and humility, responded gracefully. He acknowledged the rising talent in the league but made it clear that the ‘old generation’ still has plenty to offer. “The bold generation is coming up very strongly, but the old generation is still here, ready to make an impact, still ready to play the game, and hopefully keep creating more memories for all these lovely fans for years to come,” Kohli remarked, striking a perfect balance of respect for the upcoming talents and the veterans.
A Special @KKRiders reunion 🤗
Shah Rukh Khan 💜 Rinku Singh
A special performance to delight the #TATAIPL 2025 opening ceremony 😍#KKRvRCB | @rinkusingh235 | @iamsrk pic.twitter.com/IK0H8BdybK
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) March 22, 2025
King Khan 🤝 King Kohli
When two kings meet, the stage is bound to be set on fire 😍#TATAIPL 2025 opening ceremony graced with Bollywood and Cricket Royalty 🔥#KKRvRCB | @iamsrk | @imVkohli pic.twitter.com/9rQqWhlrmM
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) March 22, 2025
Not stopping there, Shah Rukh Khan invited KKR’s rising star Rinku Singh for a chat, appreciating the young cricketer’s fearless attitude on the field. The atmosphere turned festive when SRK playfully asked Rinku to dance, and the young batter chose the upbeat track ‘Lutt Putt Gaya’ from the movie ‘Dunki.’
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The real show-stealer, however, was when Shah Rukh convinced Virat Kohli to groove to the chartbuster ‘Jhoome Jo Pathaan’ from the film ‘Pathaan.’ As the King of Bollywood and the King of Cricket swayed together, Eden Gardens roared in applause, a moment destined to be remembered by fans for years.
To cap off the memorable evening, Virat Kohli was presented with a special ‘IPL 18’ memento by BCCI President Roger Binny, commemorating his enduring legacy in the league.
