KKR vs RCB, IPL 2025: Why did Virat Kohli receive IPL 18 Award from Roger Binny at the Opening Ceremony?

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Virat Kohli was bestowed with the IPL 18 memento at the opening ceremony of the IPL 2025 on Saturday (March 22).

Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Benglauru are set to commence the 18th season of the Indian Premier League at the Eden Gardens.

Virat Kohli has been a stalwart of the game who was called on stage by Shah Rukh Khan during the opening ceremony. The Bollywood star was the conductor of the show and he called Virat on stage for the award. Kohli got the special memento from BCCI president Roger Binny.

KKR vs RCB: Why did Virat Kohli get IPL 18 Award?

Virat Kohli was bestowed with the IPL 18 award as he has been perhaps the biggest ambassador of the tournament.

The IPL turns to its 18th edition this year and Kohli has been an indispensable part of it since its inception in 2008. Kohli is also the only player who has played all the editions of IPL representing the same team, which is Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

Hence Kohli was given the special memento for 'Recognizing Exceptional Talent since 2008' - as the plaque on his memento wrote.

Virat Kohli and Rinku Singh also joined Shah Rukh Khan on stage. The trio's camaraderie was evident as they danced together, blending the worlds of cricket and entertainment seamlessly. Kohli was seen moving his hips with the song 'Jhoome jo Pathan', while Rinku let him loose in the song 'Lut Putt Gaya'.

Kohli also said that the veterans of Indian cricket are still relevant in T20 cricket and will be looking forward to continue their legacy in the tournament.

"The bold generation is coming up very strongly, the old generation is still here trying to create more memories," Virat said.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru won the Toss and decided to Bowl first at the Eden Gardens.