Kolkata, March 23, 2025 — Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) have started their IPL 2025 season on a strong note, dominating Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) by seven wickets at Eden Gardens. The highly-awaited season opener witnessed RCB produce a clinical all-round performance, putting an end to KKR’s home supremacy with ease.
Match Overview
| Match | Date | Venue | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| KKR vs RCB – IPL 2025 (Match 1) | March 22, 2025 | Eden Gardens, Kolkata | RCB won by 7 wickets (16.2 overs) |
Match Highlights
KKR’s Innings: 174/8 in 20 Overs
- Ajinkya Rahane, captaining KKR for the first time, played a mature knock of 56 off 31 balls, much-needed stability.
- Sunil Narine contributed precious runs with a 44-run quickfire and was an example of his dual danger in KKR’s batting lineup.
- Despite having a strong foundation, KKR was not able to shift gear as Josh Hazlewood delivered a masterclass of pace and discipline, collecting 2-22 off his 4 overs, which included 16 dot balls.
- Rest of the RCB bowlers aided well, and Mohammed Siraj and Karn Sharma provided vital breaks.
RCB’s Chase: 175/3 in 16.2 Overs
- RCB made a strong statement with the bat, led for the second time by Virat Kohli, who was unbeaten on 59 off 39 balls.
- Kohli was well-assisted by new signing Phil Salt, who hammered 56 runs off 28 balls, putting the opposition on notice early with a quick opening stand.
- The pair recorded an authoritative 95-run partnership, effectively putting the game out of KKR’s reach in the first 10 overs.
- RCB hunted down the target easily with 3.4 overs remaining, emphasizing their ambition this season.
Post-Match Reactions
- Virat Kohli (RCB): “It’s always a great feeling to start the tournament with a win, especially against a top side like KKR. Our bowlers set it up beautifully, and it was about finishing the job with the bat.”
- Ajinkya Rahane (KKR Captain): “We were about 15-20 runs short on this wicket. Credit to RCB for their execution. We’ll look to bounce back in the next game.”
Head-to-Head Record
| Total Matches | KKR Wins | RCB Wins |
|---|---|---|
| 35 | 21 | 14 |
Although KKR continue to hold an historical edge, this recent result may point towards a change in momentum for RCB as they appear sharp and well-balanced this season.
Key Performers
| Team | Player | Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| RCB | Virat Kohli | 59* (39) – Anchored the chase |
| Phil Salt | 56 (28) – Aggressive start | |
| Josh Hazlewood | 2/22 (4 overs) – Restrictive spell | |
| KKR | Ajinkya Rahane | 56 (31) – Led from the front |
| Sunil Narine | 44 (25) – Handy runs at the top |
Also Read : IPL 2025 Full Schedule: Match Dates, Venues & Timings
What’s Next?
- The two teams’ next meeting will be on May 17, 2025, at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, where KKR will be looking to level the scales and RCB will be looking to do a double over the champions.
Quick Take
RCB’s win not only provides them with initial momentum in IPL 2025 but also puts KKR’s strategy with both bat and ball under the spotlight. With numerous matches still to be played, both teams have areas to work on — KKR will be looking to shore up their middle-order batting, while RCB will be eager to maintain this winning momentum.
