WATCH: Shah Rukh Khan, Virat Kohli lights up stage at IPL opening ceremony

The opening ceremony of the 18th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) was a dazzling celebration that brought together the excitement of cricket and the glamour of Bollywood. The star of the evening, Shah Rukh Khan, played the perfect host and made sure the event was one to remember.

Held at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, the audience was treated to an unforgettable night of entertainment. SRK's charismatic hosting style added a unique charm to the ceremony, keeping the crowd on their toes throughout.

One of the most memorable moments came when Shah Rukh Khan, in his signature style, called former Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) captain Virat Kohli the "GOAT" (Greatest of All Time). SRK then invited Kohli to join him on stage for an energetic dance to his popular song "Jhoome Jo Pathaan." The crowd erupted in cheers, chanting "Kohli Kohli," and SRK joined in, further amping up the excitement.

"Virat bhai is the only player who has been associated with just one team in the entirety of the IPL. He is the OG. The GOAT of IPL," SRK said before welcoming Kohli to the stage. 

He then added, "The king of 22 yards and a billion hearts. Let's hear the loudest for the one and only the GOAT, Mr. Virat Kohli," sparking cheers from the fans.

The crowd went wild as 'King Kohli' and 'King Khan' danced together, creating a magical moment that quickly spread across social media, with fans sharing videos of the performance.

Before Kohli's appearance, SRK had already set the stage on fire with KKR's Rinku Singh, who joined him for a fun dance to SRK's popular song "Lutt Putt Gaya" from his movie Dunki. Rinku’s playful moves had Kohli in fits of laughter, making for a hilarious and unforgettable moment.

Shah Rukh Khan's charm was undeniable as he engaged with the crowd, saying, "Party Pathan ke ghar pe rakhoge toh mehman nawazi ke liye Pathan khud aayega aur patake bhi layega," which translates to, "If you host a party at Pathan's house, Pathan himself will come to greet you and will bring fireworks as well!" His words sent the crowd into a frenzy.

The Bollywood magic continued with stunning performances by Shreya Ghoshal, Karan Aujla, and Disha Patani, who added their star power to the IPL’s grand opening.

After the star-studded ceremony, the players of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) made their way into the stadium to kick off the much-awaited opening match of the IPL tournament.