KOLKATA: Virat Kohli scored 59 not out off 36 balls as Royal Challengers Bengaluru beat Kolkata Knight Riders by seven wickets Saturday in the opening game of the Indian Premier League. The star batsman hit four fours and three sixes as Bengaluru chased down the defending champions’ 174-8 with 22 balls to spare. Phil Salt scored 56 off 31 balls, adding 95 off 51 balls with Kohli in a whirlwind opening stand that powered Bengaluru’s total of 177-3 in 16.2 overs. Salt, who played a prominent role for Kolkata in their 2024 triumph, was picked by Bengaluru in this season’s player auctions and made an impression in the very first game. For Kolkata, skipper Ajinkya Rahane scored 56 off 31 balls, including six fours and four sixes. Rahane is leading the defending champions after last year’s winning captain Shreyas Iyer was not retained by the franchise and moved to Punjab Kings for this season. Bengaluru, led by Rajat Patidar for the first time, had won the toss and opted to bowl with the dew-factor in mind. Put into bat, Kolkata lost Quinton de Kock early when he was caught behind off Josh Hazlewood for four. A couple of catching chances went begging as the hosts fought back through Rahane and opener Sunil Narine. Narine hit 44 off 26 balls, with five fours and three sixes, and put on 103 off 55 balls with Rahane.
