The much-awaited 18th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2025) is set to kick off on Saturday, March 22, with defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) facing Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
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Kolkata Knight Riders vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Preview
For the first time since their historic opening clash in the inaugural IPL season, Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bengaluru will kick off the tournament once again. That night, 17 years ago, something special was born—a spectacle unlike any other. A true cricketing phenomenon.
A thousand matches later, the frenzy remains unstoppable. Stadiums fill up faster than international games (Eden Gardens is already sold out). The trophy has been paraded around like a prized artifact. Player arrivals are edited into cinematic trailers. Virat Kohli mesmerizes 29.1 million fans simply by bouncing a ball on his bat. The only thing that has grown as fast as the IPL itself is the insatiable hunger for its unique blend of superstars and chaos.
KKR and RCB have delivered some unforgettable encounters, including a nail-biting one-run thriller just last year. They’ve played a pivotal role in shaping the league—and T20 cricket as a whole. Sunil Narine redefined the value of risk-taking openers. AB de Villiers showcased how scoring behind the wicket could be just as effective as playing in front of it. And Andre Russell? He’s been testing the limits of physics, trying to send cricket balls into orbit.
Varun and Narine’s eight overs could be the defining factor in this contest. Their contrasting strengths—Varun as the strike bowler with a 14.2 strike rate last season and Narine as the reliable enforcer conceding just 6.7 runs per over—directly target an RCB vulnerability. Five of RCB’s top seven, except Patidar and Jitesh Sharma, have struggled against spin in T20s since 2024, with strike rates below 140. For Liam Livingstone (107) and Tim David (106), it’s barely a run a ball.
Since finishing as KKR’s top scorer in IPL 2024, Narine has averaged just 9.05 across 20 innings, with a highest score of 38. Could this lead to a batting order reshuffle? It’s unlikely, but KKR has alternatives. Their new captain, Ajinkya Rahane, for instance, thrives in the powerplay.
KKR hit the road after the opener, traveling to Guwahati and Mumbai for clashes against Rajasthan Royals and Mumbai Indians before returning home to host Sunrisers Hyderabad.
RCB, on the other hand, get a five-day breather before their next fixture against Chennai Super Kings. After that, they take on Gujarat Titans—a stern early test against top-tier spinners. But if they weather that challenge, the Wankhede awaits, a ground where runs are always up for grabs.
Phil Salt was KKR’s second-highest run-scorer in 2024, amassing 435 runs at a blistering strike rate of 182. His instinct to find the boundary first and worry about the rest later set him apart in a team that outpaced everyone in scoring speed. Now, those explosive talents belong to RCB.
Patidar’s rise to RCB captaincy stems from his impact as a middle-overs (7-16) enforcer. He racked up over 300 runs in this phase last season at a blistering strike rate of 180.68, with an even higher 197.24 against spin. Have RCB made the right call by appointing Rajat Patidar as captain? The franchise is still chasing its first IPL title, and the weight of that expectation now rests on the shoulders of a player who remains on the fringes of the Indian team and only joined RCB in 2021. However, those who know him best believe he is more than ready for the challenge.
While RCB have lost Mohammed Siraj, they’ve strengthened their attack with the IPL’s most prolific powerplay wicket-taker—Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who has 71 scalps in this phase. They also boast Josh Hazlewood, a proven performer across all stages of the tournament, with 14 wickets at an economy of 7.4 in the powerplay, eight at 7.7 in the middle, and 13 at 10 in the death overs.
All that’s left for us to do is sit back and enjoy the show. (And pray the rain stays away.)
Kolkata Knight Riders vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Head-to-Head
- Total Matches Played: 35
- Wins by Kolkata Knight Riders: 21
- Wins by Royal Challengers Bengaluru: 14
- Tied Matches: 0
- No Result Matches: 0
- First-ever Fixture: April 18, 2008
- Most Recent Fixture: April 21, 2024
Kolkata Knight Riders vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Pitch Report
IPL 2024 redefined high-scoring standards, and Eden Gardens contributed significantly to that trend. The batting-friendly conditions saw six scores of 200+ posted, including a remarkable chase of 262.
However, the excitement could be tempered by an unfavorable weather forecast for Saturday’s match. A steady drizzle on Friday evening forced an early end to the team’s practice session. While training began as planned at 5 PM, rain set in around 6 PM, cutting preparations short.
Kolkata Knight Riders vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Team News and Predicted XI
Kolkata Knight Riders – Team News
KKR may not be too concerned about losing one half of their successful opening pair from last season, as they’ve secured former IPL champion Quinton de Kock as a replacement.
However, they’ll be hoping he improves his record at Eden Gardens, where he has managed just 65 runs in six innings at a strike rate of 112. Meanwhile, either Spencer Johnson or Anrich Nortje is expected to fill the void left by Mitchell Starc, whom the franchise has opted to release.
Kolkata Knight Riders – Predicted XI
- Sunil Narine
- Quinton de Kock (wk)
- Ajinkya Rahane (capt)
- Angkrish Raghuvanshi
- Venkatesh Iyer
- Rinku Singh
- Andre Russell
- Ramandeep Singh
- Harshit Rana
- Varun Chakaravarthy
- Spencer Johnson/Anrich Nortje
- Vaibhav Arora
Royal Challengers Bengaluru – Team News
RCB have built a deep batting lineup, equipping them with the firepower to take risks even against a strong bowling unit like KKR.
However, their new spinner, Suyash Sharma, might be doubtful for the clash against his former team as he continues his recovery from a prolonged rehab following a groin injury.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru – Predicted XI
- Phil Salt
- Virat Kohli
- Devdutt Padikkal
- Rajat Patidar (capt)
- Liam Livingstone
- Jitesh Sharma (wk)
- Tim David
- Krunal Pandya
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar
- Josh Hazlewood
- Yash Dayal
- Swapnil Singh/Mohit Rathee/Rasikh Salam
Kolkata Knight Riders vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Players To Watch Out For
Rinku Singh (Kolkata Knight Riders)
Since claiming the T20 World Cup, India’s batting has reached new heights, even coming close to the 300-run mark in one game—an innings capped off by Rinku Singh smashing the final ball for six.
Though he was left out of the World Cup squad, he has featured in 18 of India’s 20 matches since. The IPL was the stage that made Rinku a household name. What does he have in store this season?
Virat Kohli (Royal Challengers Bengaluru)
Until IPL 2024, Virat Kohli preferred to play cautiously against Varun Chakravarthy and Sunil Narine, opting to find his runs elsewhere. However, last season, he shifted gears and took them on, increasing his strike rate against the KKR mystery spinners from 98.56 to 166.66.
Though it was based on a small sample size—just 18 balls in one match—it reflected a change in his approach, showing a greater willingness to take risks. Will he maintain that aggressive intent this season?
Kolkata Knight Riders vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Prediction
Scenario 1
- Toss: Kolkata Knight Riders win the toss and bowl
- Powerplay Score: 50-60
- Royal Challengers Bengaluru Total: 200 – 210
- Match Result: Kolkata Knight Riders win the match
Scenario 2
- Toss: MRoyal Challengers Bengaluru win the toss and bowl
- Powerplay Score: 60 – 70
- Kolkata Knight Riders Total: 210 – 220
- Match Result: Royal Challengers Bengaluru win the match
When and Where To Watch Kolkata Knight Riders vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru LIVE? Broadcast and Streaming Details
The Indian Premier League 2025 opening clash between Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bengaluru is set to begin at 7:30 PM IST on Saturday, March 22, at Eden Gardens Stadium in Kolkata.
The match will be broadcast live on the Star Sports network and will also be available for live streaming on JioHotstar for FREE.
Read More: IPL 2025: Kolkata Knight Riders Preview – Squad Analysis of KKR and Starting XII
Also Read: IPL 2025: Royal Challengers Bengaluru Preview – Squad Analysis of RCB and Starting XII
FAQs
When and where will the KKR vs RCB IPL 2025 opener take place?
The IPL 2025 opener between Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bengaluru will be held on Saturday, March 22, at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
How have KKR and RCB performed against each other in the IPL?
Out of 35 matches, KKR have won 21, while RCB have won 14. Their first-ever encounter was on April 18, 2008, and the most recent was on April 21, 2024.
Who are the key players to watch in KKR vs RCB?
For KKR, Sunil Narine, Varun Chakravarthy, and Quinton de Kock will be crucial. RCB will rely on Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, and new recruits like Phil Salt and Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
How has Virat Kohli’s approach changed against KKR spinners?
In IPL 2024, Kohli took a more aggressive stance, improving his strike rate against Varun Chakravarthy and Sunil Narine from 98.56 to 166.66, signaling a shift in his batting strategy.
Will rain affect the KKR vs RCB match at Eden Gardens?
A poor weather forecast looms over the match, with rain disrupting team practice the previous evening. Fans will be hoping the weather stays clear for an uninterrupted game.
