"It's been 18 long years," an emotional Kohli, still with bloodshot eyes, told the broadcasters.
No matter which team prevails at the 132,000-capacity venue in Ahmedabad it will be a first -- neither Punjab nor Kohli's Royal Challengers Bengaluru have won the IPL since it launched in 2008.
The IPL will resume on Saturday after India and Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire following days of fighting between the nuclear-armed neighbours.
Bangladesh left-arm pacer, who went unsold in the IPL auction earlier this year, finds himself back in the league following unforeseen changes in team compositions due to the ongoing India-Pakistan conflict.
“The war has stopped. In this new situation, BCCI office bearers, officials, and the IPL governing council will meet tomorrow (Sunday) to discuss the best way forward,” BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla stated in an interview with PTI Videos.
Cricket officials decided to pause the T20 tournament after a match on Thursday was abandoned in Dharamsala, less than 200 kilometres (125 miles) from the town of Jammu, where explosions were reported hours earlier.
Chasing 158 for victory, Bengaluru were propelled by a 103-run second-wicket stand between Kohli, who made an unbeaten 73, and Padikkal to reach their target with seven balls to spare at Mullanpur, near Chandigarh.
Punjab Kings bowlers steamrolled through the Royal Challengers Bengaluru's batting order to secure a five-wicket victory in a rain-reduced IPL match on Friday.
Left-arm quick Starc kept Rajasthan down to 188-4 in response to Delhi's 188-5 and then returned to bowl another disciplined over at the Feroz Shah Kotla ground.
Kumar's 4-24 -- and an overall disciplined bowling performance -- restricted champions Kolkata to a modest total of 116, which Mumbai chased down with more than seven overs to spare.
Table-topping Royal Challengers Bengaluru thrashed Chennai Super Kings by 50 runs on Friday for a second win in this year's IPL, inspired by a "game-changing" performance from fast bowler Josh Hazlewood.
Pooran's power-packed innings featured six fours and six sixes, as the West Indies batsman ruthlessly took the attack to the opposition on a flat Hyderabad pitch.
Shardul Thakur leads the race for the Purple Cap for most wickets, taking two against Delhi Capitals in their opener before his 4-34 inspired Lucknow to a five-wicket win over Sunrisers Hyderabad on Thursday.
Afghanistan's Noor Ahmad registered the best figures for a Chennai spinner against Mumbai with 4-18, restricting the five-times champions to a below-par 155-9 and laying the foundation for his team's four-wicket victory on Sunday.
The left-handed Kishan stood out as he hammered a ton in 45 balls to pummel the opposition attack after Travis Head smashed 67 off 31 deliveries in the second match of the league that began Saturday.
England fast bowler Jofra Archer returned the most expensive bowling figures in the Indian Premier League on Sunday when he was hammered for 76 runs in his four overs as Rajasthan Royals were put to the sword by the Sunrisers Hyderabad batsmen.
The highly anticipated 18th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) will get underway today when the defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Here we present you some interesting facts about the tournament:
With ten franchises ready to battle it out for the coveted trophy, IPL 2025 promises to be a thrilling mix of seasoned legends, returning heroes, and emerging stars eager to leave their mark.
As the Indian Premier League (IPL) begins its 18th season, Virat Kohli sets out once again to claim the elusive title with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). The number 18 has been his identity since the IPL’s inception in 2008, and fans hope this year will bring long-awaited success.
