Chennai International Airport was turned into a cauldron of excitement on the morning of March 24, 2025 (a Saturday) when Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) talisman Virat Kohli’s Grand Arrival in Chennai alighted from fans.
The chants of “Kohli! Kohli!” And otherwise the sounds of “E Sala Cup Namde” echoed in the terminal as one of cricket’s biggest superstars arrived in the city ahead of the highly awaited clash between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) vs Rajat Patidar’s team RCB for the IPL 2025 which is set to take place on March 28 at the newly constructed MA Chidambaram Stadium.
In the aftermath of a match-winning performance in RCB’s IPL opener against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Kohli’s aura was palpable, building up for what promises to be an electrifying encounter in the IPL’s fiercest rivalry. Here’s a deep dive into the implications of his arrival, the fan frenzy and what it all means for the upcoming blockbuster.
The Arrival: A Hero’s Welcome(Virat Kohli’s Grand Arrival in Chennai)
It was approximately 3:30 AM PDT on March 24, 2025, when Virat Kohli stepped out of the airport, and a Virat Kohli’s Grand Arrival in Chennai was accompanied by his RCB brothers, only days after having led his side to an authoritative seven-wicket victory over KKR at Eden Gardens.
Videos posted on social media captured the scene — hundreds of fans, bleary-eyed but full of energy, mobbed the terminal, hoping to catch a glimpse of their idol. We were surrounded by loyal Mumbai Indians fans swarming in red jerseys with flashes of yellow here and there with CSK fans.
With the familiar smile and calm face, Kohli waved repeatedly before security insisted on rushing him to the team hotel, with law enforcement personnel sweat it out in crowd control.
“E Sala Cup Namde” — RCB’s rallying cry for their elusive IPL title — reverberated loudly, a testament to the unfettered hopes of a city even in CSK’s backyard. With Kohli’s arrival not just a cricketer coming to earth, but the cricketing God himself descending upon a city that worships his own icon, MS Dhoni, with equal passion. Virat Kohli’s Grand Arrival in Chennai.
Kohli’s Form:A Warning Shot to CSK
Kohli arrived in the city of Chennai fresh off an innings from IPL 2025’s curtain-raiser against KKR on March 22. He scored an unbeaten 59 off 36 balls and was at the helm of RCB’s chase of 175, as he and Phil Salt (56 off 31) ripped apart the defending champions in 16.2 overs.
His innings did not just produce runs — it was a statement of intent. In the form of his life, Kohli further sharpened his bat to shush those who queried his relevance in the game of T20 once the curtains come down on the 2024 season, belting back-to-back sixes of Spencer Johnson and a delightful cover drive that brought up his 56th IPL fifty.
Scoring 1.000+ runs against four IPL teams — CSK, Delhi Capitals, Punjab Kings and now KKR — only reinforced his being a statistical heavyweight.
Kohli’s form is bad news for CSK, who had inched past the Mumbai Indians (MI) by four wickets in their campaign opener on March 23.
His 47 off 29 against them in the 2024 season will also be remembered by the Chepauk faithful, a knock that helped RCB to a 27-run victory which knocked CSK out of playoff contention.
With the likes of Salt, Liam Livingstone and Krunal Pandya in a new-look RCB squad firing on all cylinders, it’s just Kohli’s leadership as well as batting might that makes them a strong unit. CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, coming off a blistering 53 off 26 against MI, will be aware that keeping Kohli in check on March 28 could be crucial to their title defense hopes.
The Rivalry Between CSK and RCB:
The clash between CSK & RCB is more than just a cricket match — it’s a cultural phenomenon. Referred to as the “Southern Derby,” it sees two of India’s most devoted fanbases come to clash, with Dhoni and Kohli leading their franchises into battle.
CSK have had the upper hand in 17 IPL seasons, with 20 wins from 37 matches, but an upshot in recent successful years have been RCB who have bridged the gap courtesy of Kohli’s performances. The 2025 version adds plot spice: CSK are high after fifties from Gaikwad and Rachin Ravindra earned them safety from MI’s murderous attack and RCB’s reshaped side looks hungrier than before under shabby new captain Rajat Patidar.
Chepauk’s spin-friendly pitch will also suit CSK with Ravindra Jadeja and Noor Ahmad expected to trouble RCB’s batting depth. But Kohli’s immobile control against spin — he slog-swept Varun Chakravarthy for six when he faced KKR — suggests he is up to the task.
The backstory of Dhoni vs Kohli, possibly in Dhoni’s final IPL season, adds emotional weight. Dhoni’s post-match act on March 23, when he greeted MI debutant Vignesh Puthur with a pat on the back, exemplified that lingering charisma, but Kohli’s presence is grist for the CSK mill, intent on crashing the RCB party, long-awaited in these parts.
Dulling Fanaticism:A House Divided in Chennai
Chennai is Dhoni’s second home, where “Thala” is worshiped with almost religious intensity. But Kohli’s arrival showed a city of a divided self. Many of these fans had come from Bengaluru or are local supporters who had turned the airport into a mini Chinnaswamy Stadium.
The Virat Kohli’s Grand Arrival in Chennai did a “Kohli! Kohli!” Cheers drowned out the usual “Dhoni! Dhoni!” The color is a rare refrain in a city where yellow dominates. Social media was rife with clips from the reception and one post on X, then known as Twitter, read, “Virat Kohli, RCB come to Chennai for an IPL match,” along with a video of fans waving RCB flags.
This duality mirrors Kohli’s pan-India pull. While Dhoni represents the soul of Chennai, Kohli’s aggression and passion strikes a chord worldwide, even in enemy territory.
The airport events echoed his reception at Eden Gardens on March 22, when Shah Rukh Khan’s “Kohli! Kohli!” chant at the opening ceremony of the IPL had left his face burning. But in Chennai, he soaked it in, knowing every cheer held psychological advantage over CSK.
What to Watch: March 28 Is Key
The match at Chepauk on March 28 will be RCB’s second match of IPL 2025 while it will be the second home match for CSK. For RCB, it’s a possibility to carry forward the massively net run-rate advantage they got from beating KKR, where Kohli’s attacking display gave them a 22-ball leeway.
Patidar, playing his first season as captain, said the backing from Kohli had eased his nerves against KKR, adding: “There was pressure on me but it was easy with Virat’s backing and the effort from the bowlers.” With a slight niggle for Bhuvaneshwar Kumar, RCB can again rely on Josh Hazlewood and Yash Dayal, but Kohli is still their X-factor.
CSK, on the other hand, will look to capitalise on the home advantage. Gaikwad’s form, Ravindra’s calmness (65* off 45 vs MI) and Jadeja’s all-round savvy make them a well-balanced side.
The pitch, which should aid spinners, may blunt RCB’s power-hitters but Kohli’s proficiency—witness his 2024 Chepauk innings—keeps them very much in the race. The emotional stakes could not be higher: A CSK win would accelerate their seemingly runaway train, while an RCB win could fuel hopes A capable team may finally bring their title drought to an end in 2025.
Kohli’s legacy and the bigger picture
At 36, Kohli is at the tail-end of the IPL part of his career — and yet, his hunger burns more intense than ever. His dance with Shah Rukh Khan at the IPL 2025 opening ceremony, his on-field exploits against KKR — it’s a man making most of every moment.
In Chennai, he isn’t merely a player but an emblem of RCB’s hopes. Honoured with an IPL 18 Award on March 22 on his 18 season journey that mirrored Dhoni’s longevity, making their duels a clash of eras.
Fans’ chatter shifted away from the airport and toward Chepauk, where they set up 33,000 seats for the March 28 spectacle. Kohli walking in has set it on the boil; what remains now is for him and RCB to blow up against CSK.
Win or lose, one can be sure: when Virat Kohli walks out to bat, Chennai will hold its breath — some will cheer, some will pray, but all will be mesmerized by a cricketing colossus.