Virat Kohli with the Karnataka Wheelchair Cricket Team [Source: @CricCrazyJohns/X.com]
The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) launched their IPL 2025 season in style with the "Unbox 2025" event at Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on March 17. The star-studded affair, blending cricket fervour and entertainment, featured newly appointed captain Rajat Patidar and franchise icon Virat Kohli interacting with fans ahead of the tournament.
Alongside unveiling the team’s new jersey and hosting performances by global DJ Timmy Trumpet and local artists, the event celebrated inclusivity, highlighted by Kohli’s heart-warming gesture toward the Karnataka Wheelchair Cricket Team.
Virat Kohli's Heartwarming Gesture!
Thousands of fans packed the stadium for the 3:30 PM IST event, while others tuned in via RCB’s paid livestream. However, the day’s most unforgettable moment came when Kohli paused during the festivities to meet the Karnataka Wheelchair Cricket squad.
The batting maestro spent time chatting with the players, posed for a group selfie, and signed autographs, igniting joy among the athletes. His spontaneous act of kindness underscores his ethos for cricket, leaving the team as well as his fans in awe, inspired.
Livestream Crash Mar RCB Event
The event, however, faced a major hiccup as technical glitches plagued RCB’s official app and website during the livestream. Fans worldwide encountered buffering, crashes, and error messages just minutes before the event began, sparking frustration on social media.
Many criticized the franchise for the paywall amid persistent issues, though RCB later assured fixes and promised highlights on their YouTube and social channels.
Despite the digital setbacks, the stadium roared as local talents Sanjith Hegde, Aishwarya Rangarajan, and rapper All Ok added regional flavour, while the Savaari Band and Best Kept Secret kept energy levels soaring.
Eyes on the Prize
RCB will now shift focus to their IPL 2025 opener against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on March 22 at Eden Gardens. With Patidar at the helm and Kohli in vintage form, fans hope the team’s on-field performances will be enough to break the 18-year-old draught.