The IPL 2025 season kicks off with a thrilling clash between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the iconic Eden Gardens, Kolkata. Scheduled for March 22, this opening match promises to set the tone for the tournament, showcasing the best of cricketing talent and strategy.
Contents
Match Overview
KKR, the defending champions, enter the season with a strong lineup and a new captain, Ajinkya Rahane. Known for their balanced squad, KKR boasts explosive players like Andre Russell and Sunil Narine, alongside emerging talents such as Varun Chakravarthy and Rinku Singh. Their bowling attack, led by Chakravarthy, is tailored for Eden Gardens’ conditions, making them formidable opponents.
RCB, on the other hand, is led by Rajat Patidar, marking a fresh leadership era for the franchise. With Virat Kohli anchoring the batting lineup and new additions like Phil Salt and Liam Livingstone, RCB aims to break their title drought. Their bowling unit, strengthened by Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood, adds depth to their strategy.
Match Info
- Match: KKR vs RCB, 1st Match, IPL 2025
- Date: Saturday, March 22, 2025
- Time: 7:30 PM IST
- Venue: Eden Gardens, Kolkata
- Umpires: Abhijeet Bengeri, Vinod Seshan
- Third Umpire: Jayaraman Madanagopal
- Match Referee: Prakash Bhatt
Squads
Kolkata Knight Riders: Quinton de Kock (wk), Ajinkya Rahane (c), Sunil Narine, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Venkatesh Iyer, Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Ramandeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy, Spencer Johnson, Vaibhav Arora, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Manish Pandey, Moeen Ali, Anrich Nortje, Rovman Powell, Anukul Roy, Mayank Markande, Chetan Sakariya, Luvnith Sisodia.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Rajat Patidar (c), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Virat Kohli, Philip Salt, Devdutt Padikkal, Liam Livingstone, Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal, Swapnil Singh, Lungi Ngidi, Romario Shepherd, Manoj Bhandage, Rasikh Dar Salam, Nuwan Thushara, Jacob Bethell, Suyash Sharma, Mohit Rathee, Swastik Chikara, Abhinandan Singh.
Venue Guide
- Stadium: Eden Gardens
- City: Kolkata
- Capacity: 63,000
- Ends: High Court End, Pavilion End
- Hosts to: Bengal, Kolkata Knight Riders
Live Streaming Guide
- Streaming: JioCinema, Hotstar
- TV: Star Sports Network
Key Players to Watch
- KKR: Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Varun Chakravarthy, Ajinkya Rahane.
- RCB: Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Liam Livingstone, Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
Head-to-Head Record
Historically, KKR has dominated RCB in IPL encounters, with a win-loss ratio of 20:14. This rivalry has produced memorable moments, including last-ball thrillers and high-scoring chases.
Weather and Pitch Conditions
The Eden Gardens pitch is known for assisting spinners, which could play to KKR’s advantage. However, the weather forecast predicts rain, which might impact the match dynamics.
Conclusion
As the curtain rises on IPL 2025, the KKR vs RCB clash is more than just a game; it’s a celebration of cricket’s spirit and camaraderie. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a casual viewer, this match is bound to keep you on the edge of your seat.