Shah Rukh Khan criticized for IPL 2025 ceremony hosting

At the IPL 2025 Opening Ceremony in Kolkata, Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan faced criticism for his hosting style. Many viewers felt that he made Indian cricketer Virat Kohli uncomfortable during the event. Some fans defended Khan, saying the ceremony's quality suffered from a lack of rehearsal due to rain predictions. Shah Rukh praised Kohli, calling him an inspiration as they danced together to a popular song from his movie. However, a Reddit user labeled Khan's performance as "fake" and "awkward," adding that it was hard to watch. Social media reactions varied. While some agreed that the ceremony was disappointing and lacked energy, others pointed out that Shah Rukh might be out of touch with modern entertainment. One commenter described Khan as a "cringe uncle," suggesting Kohli was being polite during the performance. Despite the backlash, some users noted that the performances felt stretched because the organizers may not have expected the ceremony to happen due to weather concerns. They argued that the overload of cricket and Bollywood events might also contribute to a less engaging experience for the audience. In the cricketing action, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru won their opening match against the Kolkata Knight Riders by seven wickets. This victory marked a successful start for RCB captain Rajat Patidar while Ajinkya Rahane faced a tough defeat in his debut as KKR skipper.