Shah Rukh Khan forces Virat Kohli, Rinku Singh to dance at IPL

IPL 2025 Kicks Off in Grand Style as Shah Rukh Khan, Virat Kohli, and Rinku Singh Dance to Bollywood Beats

Star-studded opening ceremony lights up Eden Gardens ahead of KKR vs RCB blockbuster season opener

Kolkata, March 22 – The IPL 2025 season got off to a dazzling start at Eden Gardens on Saturday night, as Shah Rukh Khan, the King of Bollywood and co-owner of Kolkata Knight Riders, set the stage ablaze with a charismatic performance that ended with an unforgettable dance alongside Virat Kohli and Rinku Singh.

In what can only be described as a moment of pure IPL magic, the cricketing and cinematic icons brought the house down with their camaraderie and moves, dancing to the energetic beats of ‘Jhoome Jo Pathaan’ and ‘Lutt Putt Gaya’, sending the packed Kolkata crowd into raptures.

King Khan ???? King Kohli

When two kings meet, the stage is bound to be set on fire ????#TATAIPL 2025 opening ceremony graced with Bollywood and Cricket Royalty ????#KKRvRCB | @iamsrk | @imVkohli pic.twitter.com/9rQqWhlrmM

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) March 22, 2025

SRK Steals the Show as Host

Following electrifying performances by Shreya Ghoshal, Disha Patani, and Karan Aujla, Shah Rukh Khan stepped in as the host of the evening, welcoming fans to IPL Season 18. Dressed in his trademark KKR black-and-gold, the superstar delivered a grand opening address that blended humour, emotion, and his signature charm.

SRK introduced Virat Kohli in epic fashion:
“He’s the King of 22 yards, the heart of a billion people, the GOAT of cricket. The only player to play all IPL seasons for one franchise he’s the OG Gen Old of the IPL, my friend, Virat Kohli!”

Kohli vs Gen Bold: A Fun Banter

In a light-hearted exchange, SRK asked Kohli about the rise of the bold new generation in the IPL and whether it’s time for the old guard to pass the baton.

Kohli’s response was all class:
“The bold generation is coming up very strongly, but the old generation is still here, ready to make an impact and create more memories for our wonderful fans.”

The interaction drew loud cheers from the Eden Gardens crowd, many of whom were seeing two of India’s most iconic figures SRK and Kohli sharing the stage in such a relaxed and fun manner.

Rinku Singh Joins the Party

SRK wasn’t done. He then called KKR star Rinku Singh, referring to him as the face of the “Bold Generation”, and engaged him in a humorous Q&A about his fearless batting approach.

Soon after, SRK asked Rinku to dance. The youngster obliged, grooving to ‘Lutt Putt Gaya’ from Shah Rukh’s recent film Dunki. The performance showcased Rinku’s lighthearted spirit and added to the night’s festive energy.

A Dance to Remember: SRK and Kohli Unite on 'Jhoome Jo Pathaan'

The moment of the night, however, came when SRK convinced Virat Kohli to join him on stage to perform the viral hit ‘Jhoome Jo Pathaan’. The crowd erupted as the Bollywood legend and the cricketing icon danced in sync, giving fans a memory to cherish forever.

Social media was instantly flooded with videos and reactions, as the clip of Kohli and SRK dancing together quickly broke the internet.

Special Recognition for Kohli

Adding to the occasion, BCCI President Roger Binny presented Virat Kohli with a special ‘IPL 18’ memento, acknowledging his incredible loyalty to Royal Challengers Bengaluru, having played for the franchise since the league’s inception in 2008.

Star-Studded Commentary and Broadcast Innovation

Earlier, the IPL announced a power-packed commentary team, including debuts for Kane Williamson, Shane Watson, AB de Villiers, and Virender Sehwag, among others. JioStar’s revamped coverage includes language-specific feeds, MaxView, Indian Sign Language support, and new broadcast angles like Hero Cam and Batter Cam, enriching the viewer experience.

New-Gen Meets Fan Culture

The Hangout Feed, hosted by popular content creators and comedians like Angad Singh, Kunal Saluja, and Sahiba Bali, promises to offer a fun, offbeat perspective on matches, targeting first-time viewers and Gen Z audiences.

A Season of Big Expectations Begins

As the glittering ceremony wrapped up, attention turned toward the cricket, with defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders set to take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru in what promises to be a blockbuster opening clash.

But before a ball was bowled, IPL 2025 had already delivered a highlight moment with Shah Rukh Khan, Virat Kohli, and Rinku Singh dancing together under the Kolkata lights, the perfect start to what promises to be another unforgettable IPL season.