Eden Gardens is adorned with hues of purple and gold, as the residents of Kolkata gather in large crowds to cheer for the Kolkata Knight Riders, proudly donning the team's colors during each IPL match. However, there are notable exceptions when they face the Chennai Super Kings and the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, as MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli have the remarkable ability to transform any venue into their own home ground. Evidence suggests that this trend will persist in the upcoming IPL 2025 opener between KKR and RCB.

It would not be surprising if RCB jerseys emblazoned with 'Virat' outnumber the KKR's purple and gold on Sunday at Eden Gardens. The atmosphere in this historic stadium is already electric, just two days before the IPL opener, with Virat Kohli clearly being the main attraction.

As the city of joy gears up for the opening ceremony and the tournament's first match, Eden Gardens has effectively become Kohli's domain. This phenomenon occurs at every stadium across India whenever Kohli plays, but it is particularly magnified in a city and venue with the rich heritage of Kolkata and Eden Gardens.

The KKR players are well aware of this dynamic. With the absence of mentor Gautam Gambhir and captain Shreyas Iyer, who led them to victory in last year's IPL, the team's key crowd-pleasers are their reliable stars, Sunil Narine and Andre Russell. These two Caribbean match-winners possess contrasting personalities; Narine is known for his calm demeanor, while Russell is more expressive and animated. Even they find themselves captivated by Kohli's presence.

During Virat Kohli's first practice session in Kolkata, his charisma was so compelling that Russell and Varun Chakaravarthy, a hero from India's Champions Trophy, paused their training to admire the legendary stroke play of the RCB star. There may be an additional reason for Russell and Chakaravarthy's keen interest in Kohli—he is undoubtedly their 'No.1 enemy' come Sunday.

The excitement generated by Kohli's appearance on Thursday night was undeniable. Local media reports indicated that the K and L blocks of Eden Gardens were opened for fans eager to see the players in practice. While the KKR team was present in full force, all eyes were on Kohli. Spectators were keen to catch a glimpse of the 'King.' Each shot he played and every catch he made elicited enthusiastic cheers, causing the KKR players to glance towards the RCB nets on several occasions.

Virat Kohli vs Varun Chakaravarthy

One of the season's most eagerly awaited match-ups will be the confrontation between Chakravarthy and RCB's star batsman, Virat Kohli.

However, he played down any notion of a special rivalry with the Bengaluru team.

"There’s nothing specific; it’s just the circumstances of those matches that helped me take wickets. In all those games, the conditions and situations were entirely favorable for us, allowing me to achieve the best possible outcomes," he stated.

KKR will be led by a new captain, Ajinkya Rahane, with T20 legend Dwayne Bravo serving as mentor.

The spinner from Tamil Nadu expressed optimism about the team's potential, emphasizing the importance of establishing the right combination early in the season.

"The squad appears strong. It’s about deciphering the right formula and ensuring that our best playing XI performs consistently. If we can solidify a core group in the first three matches, we will have excellent prospects for this season."

Read Also: KKR vs RCB Live: Where to Watch IPL 2025 Match on TV & Online

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