The atmosphere at Wankhede Stadium reached fever pitch on Monday as Virat Kohli made his entrance for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) versus Mumbai Indians (MI) match in the IPL 2025 season. As the cricket maestro stepped onto the field, the stadium erupted into chants of “Kohli, Kohli,” a tribute to the beloved player’s arrival.
The excitement was so intense that the official broadcaster’s ‘shor meter’ recorded an astonishing 138 decibels, marking one of the loudest receptions ever witnessed in the IPL. This thunderous welcome was reminiscent of the legendary ovations for MS Dhoni at Chepauk, where the crowd’s fervor inspired comparisons to the reception Dhoni received during his recent matches in Chennai, so loud that it even prompted MI owner Nita Ambani to cover her ears.
Kohli, fueled by the crowd’s energy, delivered a spectacular performance, scoring a brisk 67 runs off just 42 balls. This innings not only thrilled the fans but also saw him achieve a monumental milestone, becoming the first Indian to surpass 13,000 runs in T20 cricket. With this feat, he joined the ranks of global T20 legends such as Chris Gayle and Kieron Pollard.
At 36, Kohli’s career statistics now boast 13,050 runs from 402 T20 matches, including 9 centuries and 99 half-centuries. His enduring appeal and the deafening roar at Wankhede on Monday underscore his status as an icon in Indian cricket, continuing to captivate and inspire fans across the nation.