Kolkata Knight Riders v Royal Challengers Bengaluru IPL 2026 opener - in pictures

Virat Kohli scored an unbeaten 59 for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in their seven-wicket win over Kolkata Knight Riders in the opening match of the 2025 Indian Premier League. Getty Images
Virat Kohli scored an unbeaten 59 for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in their seven-wicket win over Kolkata Knight Riders in the opening match of the 2025 Indian Premier League. Getty Images
Virat Kohli hit an unbeaten 59 off 36 balls, including four fours and three sixes as RCB won with 222 balls to spare at Eden Gardens.
Virat Kohli hit an unbeaten 59 off 36 balls, including four fours and three sixes as RCB won with 222 balls to spare at Eden Gardens.
Kolkata bowler Sunil Narine, left, and captain Ajinkya Rahane celebrate the dismissal of Bengaluru's Devdutt Padikkal for 10. AP
Kolkata bowler Sunil Narine, left, and captain Ajinkya Rahane celebrate the dismissal of Bengaluru's Devdutt Padikkal for 10. AP
Bengaluru opener Phil Salt celebrates after reaching his 50 in just 25 balls. The English batter was out for 56 which came off 31 balls including nine fours and two sixes. AP
Bengaluru opener Phil Salt celebrates after reaching his 50 in just 25 balls. The English batter was out for 56 which came off 31 balls including nine fours and two sixes. AP
Kolkata fielder Spencer Johnson takes a catch to dismiss Bengaluru's Phil Salt. Reuters
Kolkata fielder Spencer Johnson takes a catch to dismiss Bengaluru's Phil Salt. Reuters
Bengaluru's opening pair of Phil Salt and Virat Kohli contributed 95 for the first wicket. Getty Images
Bengaluru's opening pair of Phil Salt and Virat Kohli contributed 95 for the first wicket. Getty Images
Captain Ajinkya Rahane top-scored for Kolkata Knight Riders with 56 off 31 balls, including six fours and four sixes, helping his team reach 174-8 off their 20 overs. AFP
Captain Ajinkya Rahane top-scored for Kolkata Knight Riders with 56 off 31 balls, including six fours and four sixes, helping his team reach 174-8 off their 20 overs. AFP
Bengaluru's Suyash Sharma celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of Kolkata batter Andre Russell for four. Reuters
Bengaluru's Suyash Sharma celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of Kolkata batter Andre Russell for four. Reuters
Kolkata batter Andre Russell is bowled out by Royal Bengaluru's Suyash Sharma. Reuters
Kolkata batter Andre Russell is bowled out by Royal Bengaluru's Suyash Sharma. Reuters
Kolkata Knight Riders' fans before the match at Eden Gardens. AP
Kolkata Knight Riders' fans before the match at Eden Gardens. AP
Bengaluru bowler Krunal Pandya, right, celebrates with teammate Virat Kohli after the dismissal of Kolkata's' Rinku Singhfor 12. Pandya finished with figures of 3-29 off his four overs. AP
Bengaluru bowler Krunal Pandya, right, celebrates with teammate Virat Kohli after the dismissal of Kolkata's' Rinku Singhfor 12. Pandya finished with figures of 3-29 off his four overs. AP
Kolkata opener Sunil Narine scored 44 off 26 balls, including five fours and three sixes. AP
Kolkata opener Sunil Narine scored 44 off 26 balls, including five fours and three sixes. AP
Bengaluru's Australian bowler Josh Hazlewood, right, celebrates with teammates after the dismissal of Kolkata opener Quinton de Kock for four. Hazlewood finished with 2-22 off his four overs. AP
Bengaluru's Australian bowler Josh Hazlewood, right, celebrates with teammates after the dismissal of Kolkata opener Quinton de Kock for four. Hazlewood finished with 2-22 off his four overs. AP
Fireworks during the opening ceremony ahead of the 2025 IPL opening match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Getty Images
Fireworks during the opening ceremony ahead of the 2025 IPL opening match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Getty Images
Bangalore's Virat Kohli with actor and film producer Shah Rukh Khan before the match. Reuters
Bangalore's Virat Kohli with actor and film producer Shah Rukh Khan before the match. Reuters
Fireworks during the opening ceremony ahead of the 2025 IPL opening match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Getty Images
Fireworks during the opening ceremony ahead of the 2025 IPL opening match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Getty Images