Will RCB Fans Honor Kohli's Test Retirement Despite Rain?

Synopsis
As IPL 2025 resumes, RCB fans plan an emotional tribute to Virat Kohli. Despite rain forecasts, supporters will wear white T-shirts in honor of his Test retirement. Will this heartfelt gesture create a memorable atmosphere at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium?
Key Takeaways
- RCB fans plan a tribute for Kohli's Test retirement.
- Despite rain predictions, fans remain dedicated.
- Tribute jerseys are popular among fans in Bengaluru.
- Concerns about ball visibility with a white crowd.
- RCB aims for a win against KKR to boost playoff chances.
Bengaluru, May 17 (NationPress) As the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 makes its comeback following a brief hiatus, fans of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are gearing up for a heartfelt tribute to their cherished cricketer, Virat Kohli. On Saturday (May 17), the atmosphere at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium is set to be emotional, with RCB supporters donning white T-shirts to commemorate Kohli's retirement from Test cricket.
Despite forecasts of rain, fans are determined to turn up in large numbers to celebrate Kohli. The rain began falling even before the toss, yet the supporters remained steadfast in their seats.
This match against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) marks Kohli’s first game since he stunned the cricketing community by announcing his abrupt retirement from red-ball cricket on May 12, during a break in the tournament prompted by tensions at the India-Pakistan border.
Tribute jerseys in white have already become a common sight in Bengaluru's markets, with fans eagerly purchasing them ahead of this much-anticipated clash. Social media campaigns surrounding this initiative have gained traction, urging supporters to turn the stadium into a “white sea” for this special event.
Noted commentator Harsha Bhogle acknowledged the initiative on social media, tweeting, “Are you planning to come in white for the game on the 17th? I remember seeing a post about it. If you can pull it off, it will be a remarkable sight for the ages.”
However, some concerns have arisen regarding potential visibility issues. A crowd dressed predominantly in white might create difficulties for fielders attempting to track the white ball used in T20 matches.
In response, RCB's Director of Cricket, Mo Bobat, told ESPNcricinfo, “It’s not something we’ve extensively discussed. I’ve noticed fans talking about it, but I don't believe it will significantly impact our gameplay.”
Currently, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru sit in second place on the points table and aim to secure a victory against the Kolkata Knight Riders on Saturday to enhance their chances of qualifying for the playoffs.