IPL 2025 Opener: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) secured a dominant 7-wicket victory over Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at Eden Gardens. Chasing 175, RCB’s innings was powered by stellar fifties from Virat Kohli and Phil Salt, with Kohli anchoring the chase and remaining unbeaten. Stay tuned for more IPL 2025 match highlights and updates.
Chasing 175, RCB openers Virat Kohli and Phil Salt laid a strong foundation, dominating the KKR bowlers. Salt played an aggressive knock, scoring 54 off 32 balls, ensuring RCB maintained the required run rate.
The highlight of the chase was Kohli’s vintage form, as he anchored the innings with an unbeaten 72 off 50 balls, guiding RCB to victory with ease. Rajat Patidar (28 off 18) provided a finishing touch, securing the win with four balls to spare.
KKR vs RCB Highlights, IPL 2025: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) delivered a dominant performance, crushing defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) by seven wickets in the IPL 2025 opener at Eden Gardens. KKR posted 174, but RCB chased it down effortlessly in just 16.2 overs. Krunal Pandya (3/29) and Josh Hazlewood (2/22) led the bowling attack, while Virat Kohli and Phil Salt dazzled with match-winning half-centuries. KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane’s fifty was the lone highlight for the hosts.
Virat Kohli (RCB) Joins Elite Club: Completes 1000+ Runs Against KKR in IPL
Virat Kohli achieved a major milestone on Saturday, becoming only the third player to score 1,000+ runs against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the IPL. With his latest knock, the RCB star joined an elite list alongside David Warner (1,093 runs) and Rohit Sharma (1,070 runs). This achievement further cements Kohli’s dominance in the tournament. Stay tuned for more IPL 2025 records and stats updates.
RCB Takes Revenge After 18 Years
This was only the second time in Indian Premier League (IPL) history that Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) faced off in the season opener. The last time these two teams met in an opening match was back in 2008, during the inaugural season of the IPL. In that encounter, KKR secured a dominant victory, with Brendon McCullum smashing a blistering 158-run knock, which remains one of the most iconic innings in IPL history.
Now, 18 years later, in IPL 2025, RCB turned the tables and claimed victory in the season opener.
At Eden Gardens, a total of 12 matches had been played between KKR and RCB before this encounter. Out of these, KKR won 8 times, while RCB managed just 4 victories. Including today’s match, the head-to-head record now stands at 13 matches, with KKR leading 8-5.
KKR vs RCB IPL 2025: Playing XI, Key Players & Team Analysis
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) Playing XI
Defending IPL 2024 champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) enter the 2025 season with a well-balanced squad under the leadership of Ajinkya Rahane. The captaincy transition is expected to be smooth, as Rahane is a respected leader. Power hitters Andre Russell and Sunil Narine provide the X-factor, while the addition of Quinton de Kock strengthens their top order. With a strong bowling attack featuring Varun Chakravarthy, Spencer Johnson, and Narine, KKR poses a formidable challenge.
KKR Playing XI:
- Sunil Narine
- Quinton de Kock (WK)
- Ajinkya Rahane (C)
- Venkatesh Iyer
- Angkrish Raghuvanshi
- Rinku Singh
- Andre Russell
- Ramandeep Singh
- Spencer Johnson
- Vaibhav Arora
- Harshit Rana
- Impact Sub: Varun Chakravarthy
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) Playing XI
RCB boasts a power-packed batting lineup for IPL 2025, led by Rajat Patidar. With Virat Kohli anchoring the innings and the explosive duo of Phil Salt and Liam Livingstone, RCB looks determined to make an impact. However, their bowling attack, featuring Josh Hazlewood, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and Yash Dayal, lacks a frontline spinner. Suyash Sharma will take charge of the spin department.
RCB Playing XI:
- Phil Salt
- Virat Kohli
- Devdutt Padikkal
- Rajat Patidar (C)
- Liam Livingstone
- Jitesh Sharma (WK)
- Tim David
- Krunal Pandya
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar
- Josh Hazlewood
- Yash Dayal
- Impact Sub: Suyash Sharma
With both teams packed with star players, KKR vs RCB promises an electrifying contest in IPL 2025. Stay tuned for more match previews, updates, and analysis!