IPL 2025 Kicks Off in Style at Eden Gardens: Jay Shah Rings the Bell, SRK and Kohli Steal the Spotlight

Published On: March 22, 2025

The wait is over! IPL 2025 started with a grand opening at Kolkata’s legendary Eden Gardens, setting the perfect stage for an exciting season ahead.

At exactly 7:28 PM, BCCI Secretary Jay Shah rang the iconic bell, officially kicking off the tournament. The stadium was packed with enthusiastic fans, creating a buzzing atmosphere full of energy.

RCB Wins the Toss, Captains Ready for Battle

All eyes were on Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) captain Ajinkya Rahane and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) skipper Rajat Patidar as they stepped onto the field for the toss.

Rahane, making his return as an IPL captain, and Patidar, leading a team for the first time, were greeted with thunderous applause.

At 7:14 PM, Rahane tossed the coin, and Patidar called heads—it landed in his favor. RCB chose to field first.

Speaking at the toss, Patidar shared his strategy: “The pitch looks good. Fast bowlers might get some help, but not too much. I’m thrilled to lead the team, and we’re well-prepared. We’re playing three pacers and two spinners.”

Rahane expressed his excitement about leading KKR: “It’s a huge honor to captain this amazing team. We have a strong core, and we’re ready to put up a great total. The team has settled in well, and we’re focused on enjoying the game. We’re also going with three fast bowlers and two spinners.”

SRK and Kohli Electrify the Crowd

The night got even more special when Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan and cricket legend Virat Kohli took the stage. Their dance performance sent the crowd into a frenzy, making it a night to remember.

SRK’s words resonated with fans: “Tonight, we’re not just celebrating a tournament, but an entire era of cricket.”

BCCI dignitaries, including Roger Binny and Arun Dhumal, joined the celebrations. A massive cake was cut, symbolizing IPL’s incredible journey over the years.

Pitch Report: High Scores Expected

Cricket great Sunil Gavaskar analyzed the pitch and gave his verdict: “There’s some grass on the surface, but less than yesterday. Fast bowlers will get bounce, and spinners will also play a role. This is a pitch where batters can go big. A score of 200 is very possible.”

Confirmed Playing XIs

KKR’s lineup: Venkatesh Iyer, Quinton de Kock (wk), Ajinkya Rahane (c), Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Rinku Singh, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Ramandeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy, and Spencer Johnson. Johnson received his cap from Narine.

RCB’s squad: Phil Salt (wk), Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar (c), Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma, Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Rasikh Dar, Suyash Sharma, Josh Hazlewood, and Yash Dayal.