Virat Kohli started the 2025 Indian Premier League season in style by guiding Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a seven-wicket win over defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders on Saturday.
The India batter, playing in his 18th IPL campaign and 400th Twenty20 match, finished unbeaten on 59 as his team powered to victory on a flat surface at Eden Gardens with 22 balls to spare.
Kolkata fell well short of par with their total of 174-8 after losing the toss and being put into bat with captain Ajinkya Rahane top-scoring with 56 while Sunil Narine (44) and youngster Angkrish Raghuvanshi (30) were the only other players to make serious contributions.
Indian all-rounder Krunal Pandya (3-29) and Josh Hazlewood (2-22) did the damage with the ball for RCB, with the Australian seamer making an impressive comeback after missing the recent ICC Champions Trophy due to injury.
Openers Phil Salt and Kohli then gave their side a flying start reaching 80-0 after six overs on what was a batting-friendly pitch.
Englishman Salt was out for 56 ending an opening partnership of 95 and while Devdutt Padikkal fell cheaply (10), that brought captain Rajat Patidar to the crease who cracked a stylish 16-ball 34.
It was left to Kohli, who played a key role in India winning the Champions trophy in Dubai, and Liam Livingstone (15 not out) to see RCB over the line for what was a comprehensive win.
“Virat and I haven't batted together much, to put on a partnership like that was key,” said Salt. “It's a ground I know, had a simple game plan coming in. Wanted to go on longer, but not to be. Batting second here makes a bit of difference, you have to hit through the line.”
The prematch threat of thunderstorms failed to materialise but it rained fours and sixes at Eden Gardens thereafter as Kolkata looked to be on a mission to become the first team in the league's history to breach the 300-run barrier.
Veteran batter Rahane led the way as Kolkata's new captain with brutal ball-striking in his 31-ball 56 and although his dismissal along with that of Narine for 44 stalled the home side, they still had plenty of firepower left.
However, a couple of wickets in quick succession through Pandya as the ball began to grip the surface meant that the hosts ultimately ended up with a below-par total.
“Glad I was able to deliver,” said player of the match Pandya, who claimed the vital wicket of Rahane, as well as bowling Shreyas Iyer for six and Rinku Singh for 12. “You have to go with the flow, right now batters can hit sixes consistently, so you have to find ways to up your game.
“So, I wanted to bowl quick, changes of pace were useful too. [RCB wicketkeeper] Jitesh [Sharma] knows I can do anything, bowl a wide yorker or bouncer, so he's aware. You have to use what you have in your arsenal.
“Once I got into the team, I got to know about the madness. Even when I was playing domestic cricket in Bangalore, there were RCB chants. It's been a great feeling in the last ten days with the team.”
As for Kolkata, there was no excuses from Rahane. “We have to learn from our mistakes,” he said.
“We have the batting power to go out and express ourselves. We tried our best but it didn't work out today.
“We thought that 210-220 on this wicket would be achievable, but two to three wickets in the middle overs changed the momentum.”
Results
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F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
Sui Dhaaga: Made in India
Director: Sharat Katariya
Starring: Varun Dhawan, Anushka Sharma, Raghubir Yadav
3.5/5
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
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Tips for job-seekers
- Do not submit your application through the Easy Apply button on LinkedIn. Employers receive between 600 and 800 replies for each job advert on the platform. If you are the right fit for a job, connect to a relevant person in the company on LinkedIn and send them a direct message.
- Make sure you are an exact fit for the job advertised. If you are an HR manager with five years’ experience in retail and the job requires a similar candidate with five years’ experience in consumer, you should apply. But if you have no experience in HR, do not apply for the job.
David Mackenzie, founder of recruitment agency Mackenzie Jones Middle East
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Naga
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Drishyam 2
Directed by: Jeethu Joseph
Starring: Mohanlal, Meena, Ansiba, Murali Gopy
Rating: 4 stars
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Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
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Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
MATCH INFO
Inter Milan 2 (Vecino 65', Barella 83')
Verona 1 (Verre 19' pen)
More on animal trafficking
Indika
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The biog
Favourite food: Tabbouleh, greek salad and sushi
Favourite TV show: That 70s Show
Favourite animal: Ferrets, they are smart, sensitive, playful and loving
Favourite holiday destination: Seychelles, my resolution for 2020 is to visit as many spiritual retreats and animal shelters across the world as I can
Name of first pet: Eddy, a Persian cat that showed up at our home
Favourite dog breed: I love them all - if I had to pick Yorkshire terrier for small dogs and St Bernard's for big
