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Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) started their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 campaign dominantly with a comprehensive eight-wicket win over Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at Eden Gardens. The match witnessed an explosive start from Virat Kohli, who took Australian pacer Spencer Johnson to the cleaners with two consecutive sixes, setting the tone for RCB’s commanding chase of 175. Kohli remained unbeaten on 59, ensuring his team sealed victory in just 16.2 overs.
The two sixes by Virat Kohli that rocked Eden Gardens
As RCB raced to 58-0 in just four overs, left-arm pacer Spencer Johnson returned for his second over, conceding only four runs in his first. What followed next was a masterclass in clean hitting from Virat Kohli.
First six: Pure elegance and precision
Ball 4.1: Johnson to Kohli, SIX!
Angling across from over the wicket, Johnson bowled a length delivery just outside off stump. Kohli, showing immense balance and timing, shuffled across and launched it straight over the bowler’s head. The ball soared 63 meters and hit the advertisement cushion on the full, leaving the crowd at Eden Gardens in awe. The shot was a perfect display of Kohli’s classic stroke-making ability – no wild swing, just controlled aggression and exquisite timing.
Second six: Even bigger and even Better
Ball 4.2: Johnson to Kohli, SIX!
Almost as if it were a replay, Johnson delivered another length ball, angling across Kohli. This time, Kohli read it even earlier, moved across with confidence, and executed the same straight drive – but with even more power. The ball traveled 75 meters, landing well beyond the ropes. The shot was a statement, not just of Kohli’s dominance but also his ability to dictate terms to the bowler. Johnson, who had started his spell economically, suddenly saw his figures ruined as Kohli toyed with him.
These two back-to-back sixes were a reminder of why Kohli remains one of the finest white-ball batters in the game. They weren’t desperate heaves; they were calculated, technically sound strokes played with supreme confidence.
Here’s the video:
The iconic Virat Kohli goes down the ground 😎
Sit back and enjoy his exquisite stroke play 🎁🍿@RCBTweets race away to 80/0 after 6 overs.
Updates ▶ https://t.co/C9xIFpQDTn#TATAIPL | #KKRvRCB | @imVkohli pic.twitter.com/w4imLyZgbA
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) March 22, 2025
Also WATCH: Krunal Pandya’s bouncer sets up splendid dismissal of Venkatesh Iyer in IPL 2025 opener
RCB’s dominant victory over KKR in IPL 2025
Kohli’s assault on Johnson propelled RCB to 80-0 at the end of the powerplay – their second-highest powerplay score in IPL history. The only time they did better was against Gujarat Titans in 2024, when they scored 92 in the first six overs. While Phil Salt was the chief aggressor, smashing a 31-ball 56, Kohli’s fluency ensured RCB never lost momentum.
Even after Salt’s departure, Kohli continued to guide the chase. He reached his half-century off 30 balls, carving a beautiful four through the covers off Harshit Rana. His ability to anchor while maintaining an aggressive strike rate made him the perfect batter for this run chase.
Rajat Patidar’s blistering 34 off just 16 balls kept the run rate under control, and by the time Kohli was nearing the finish line, RCB needed just a handful of runs. Liam Livingstone provided the final flourish, smashing a six and a four to complete the chase with 22 balls to spare. Kohli remained unbeaten on 59, playing the perfect anchor’s role in what was a flawless chase.
Earlier, RCB had done well to restrict KKR to 174/8 after a strong start by Sunil Narine (44) and Ajinkya Rahane (56). The duo powered KKR to 107/2 in 10 overs, but the middle order faltered. Angkrish Raghuvanshi’s 30 was the only other significant contribution as RCB’s bowlers tightened their grip. Krunal Pandya was the pick of the bowlers, taking three wickets, while Josh Hazlewood provided crucial breakthroughs with two scalps. Their disciplined bowling effort ensured KKR fell short of what could have been a challenging total.
