IPL 2025: Virat Kohli & Ajinkya Rahane Hug After Former's Test Retirement As RCB vs KKR Clash Looms; Video

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) batter Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane were seen bonding in a friendly manner while walking up to the practice session ahead of the IPL 2025 match against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Saturday at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. The Knight Riders uploaded a video of the same as Kohli and Rahane were seen smiling, with the former announcing his Test retirement.

Although Rahane made his Test debut under MS Dhoni, he served as Kohli's vice-captain during India's golden era in the format. The pair holds the record for the fifth-highest partnership for India in Test cricket when they added 365 against New Zealand in 2016 in Indore. Rahane, nevertheless, hasn't played for the country since 2023 and is unlikely to play one again.

Watch the video of Kohli and Rahane bonding:

RCB had beaten KKR earlier in IPL 2025

With the Kolkata Knight Riders losing to RCB earlier in the tournament and having their playoff hopes hanging by the thread, they face a stiff challenge against the hosts at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. Meanwhile, the Royal Challengers will qualify for the playoffs if they beat the defending champions on Saturday.

With Kohli in supreme form with the bat, aggregating 505 runs at 63.12, the Royal Challengers will hope to break their title drought this year. They reached the finals thrice but lost on as many occasions.