Picture Credit: IPL/X
On Saturday, March 22, in the IPL 2025 opening match which was being played between defending champions, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), a fan ran into the field of play to meet star India and RCB batter Virat Kohli. Kohli, who displayed his fine form in T20 cricket, guided his team to a seven-wicket win at the Eden Gardens.
Coming out to open for the Bengaluru-based franchise alongside Phil Salt, Kohli scored an unbeaten 59 off 36 deliveries with innings being laced with seven boundaries. While he breached the 50-run mark off 30 deliveries, an unimaginable scene unfolded as a pitch invader quickly came out to meet the man of the moment.
Fan invades pitch to meet Virat Kohli; touches his feet and hugs later
The incident took place in the 13 th over during RCB’s run-chase. As Kohli breached the 50-run mark with a boundary over cover, a fan quickly ran into the ground and went straight upto Kohli. He quickly went down to touch Kohli’s feet and then stood up to share a hug before he was taken off the field by the security and the concerned authorities. In a generous response, the 36-year-old was also seen urging the officials to be gentle and not harm the supporter.
Watch video of fan invasion during KKR vs RCB IPL 2025 opener:
Although, the match was played at KKR’s home ground, it garnered massive chants for the star India and RCB batter, Virat Kohli. Earlier, during the opening ceremony, as Shah Rukh Khan invited Kohli to join him on the stage, the stadium erupted in loud Kohli, Kohli chants, video of which have been making rounds on social media.
