Watch: Virat Kohli smashed Australia pacer Spencer Johnson for back-to-back sixes during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s run chase against Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL 2025 opener at the Eden Gardens on Saturday (March 22).
After RCB raced to 58-0 in four overs while chasing 175, Johnson came to bowl his second over, having conceded four runs in his first. His figures were immediately spoiled by Kohli, who greeted the left-arm pacer with two consecutive sixes, with the shots being almost identical. Johnson delivered length balls on both occasions, and Kohli smashed it over the bowler’s head each time.
Read more: Explained: Why Sunil Narine wasn't hit wicket against RCB despite breaking his stumps
RCB were off to a blazing start, reaching 80-0 after six overs, their second-highest powerplay score in the IPL. Their best is 92, which came against Gujarat Titans last year. While Phil Salt, Kohli's opening partner, was the main aggressor, scoring 49 off 23 deliveries, Kohli managed 29 from 13.
Salt departed for a 31-ball 56 while Kohli carried on bringing up his fifty off 30 balls after hitting Harshit Rana for a four through the cover region. The blazing start put the visitors in the driver's seat.
Watch Kohli hit Spencer Johnson for two sixes in a row
The iconic Virat Kohli goes down the ground 😎
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) March 22, 2025
Sit back and enjoy his exquisite stroke play 🎁🍿@RCBTweets race away to 80/0 after 6 overs.
Updates ▶ https://t.co/C9xIFpQDTn#TATAIPL | #KKRvRCB | @imVkohli pic.twitter.com/w4imLyZgbA
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