RCB defeated KKR by 7 wickets in the IPL 2025 opener on March 22, 2025, at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
- RCB defeated KKR by 7 wickets in the IPL 2025 opener on March 22, 2025, at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
- KKR scored 174/8 in 20 overs, with Ajinkya Rahane (56 off 31) and Sunil Narine (44 off 26) as top scorers.
- RCB chased the target in 16.2 overs, led by Phil Salt (56 off 31) and Virat Kohli (59* off 36).
- Krunal Pandya (3/29) and Josh Hazlewood (2/22) were key for RCB's bowling, while KKR's bowlers struggled to contain RCB.
- An unexpected detail was KKR's middle-order collapse despite a strong start, allowing RCB an easy chase.
Match Overview
The IPL 2025 season began with an exciting match between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at Eden Gardens on March 22, 2025. RCB won the toss and chose to field, a decision that paid off as they restricted KKR to 174/8. RCB then chased the target comfortably, finishing at 177/3 in 16.2 overs, securing a 7-wicket victory.
Scorecard and Key Performances
KKR's innings saw early trouble with Quinton de Kock out for 4, but Rahane and Narine built a 103-run partnership. Despite their efforts, KKR's middle order faltered, ending at 174/8. For RCB, Salt and Kohli's opening stand of 95 set the tone, with Patidar's quick 34 sealing the chase.
- KKR Batting: Rahane (56 off 31), Narine (44 off 26).
- RCB Batting: Salt (56 off 31), Kohli (59* off 36), Patidar (34 off 16).
- RCB Bowling: Pandya (3/29), Hazlewood (2/22).
Analysis
RCB's strategy to field first worked, with their bowlers controlling the middle overs. KKR's middle-order collapse was a key factor, while RCB's aggressive batting, led by Salt and Kohli, ensured an easy win. This match highlighted the importance of depth in T20 cricket.
IPL 2025 First Match
The IPL 2025 season commenced on March 22, 2025, with a highly anticipated clash between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata. This match, marking the tournament's opener, was a spectacle of aggressive batting, strategic bowling, and pivotal moments that set the tone for the season. RCB emerged victorious by 7 wickets, chasing down KKR's total of 174/8 in just 16.2 overs, with 22 balls to spare. Below is a comprehensive analysis, including the full scorecard, key performances, and expert insights, tailored for cricket enthusiasts and casual readers alike.
Match Details
- Date and Time: March 22, 2025, 7:30 PM IST
- Venue: Eden Gardens, Kolkata (Eden Gardens)
- Toss: RCB won the toss and elected to field first.
- Result: RCB won by 7 wickets, with 22 balls remaining.
- Points: RCB gained 2 points, KKR received 0 points.
Complete Scorecard
The following tables detail the batting and bowling performances for both teams, providing a granular view of the match dynamics.
KKR Batting (174/8 in 20 overs)
| Player | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate | How Out |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quinton de Kock | 4 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 80.00 | c Jitesh Sharma b Hazlewood |
| Sunil Narine | 44 | 26 | 5 | 3 | 169.23 | c Jitesh Sharma b Rasikh Salam |
| Ajinkya Rahane | 56 | 31 | 6 | 4 | 180.65 | c Rasikh Salam b Krunal Pandya |
| Venkatesh Iyer | 6 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 85.71 | b Krunal Pandya |
| Rinku Singh | 30 | 22 | 2 | 1 | 136.36 | c Jitesh Sharma b Yash Dayal |
| Andre Russell | 12 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 120.00 | b Krunal Pandya |
| Angkrish Raghuvanshi | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 133.33 | b Suyash Sharma |
| Harshit Rana | 6 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 66.67 | not out |
| Ramandeep Singh | 5 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 83.33 | c Jitesh Sharma b Hazlewood |
| Mitchell Starc | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00 | not out |
| Extras | 6 | (lb 2, w 4) | ||||
| Total | 174/8 | 20 Ov | 8.70 |
| Bowler (RCB) | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Josh Hazlewood | 4 | 0 | 22 | 2 | 5.50 |
| Rasikh Dar Salam | 3 | 0 | 25 | 1 | 8.33 |
| Krunal Pandya | 4 | 0 | 29 | 3 | 7.25 |
| Yash Dayal | 4 | 0 | 47 | 1 | 11.75 |
| Suyash Sharma | 3 | 0 | 35 | 1 | 11.66 |
| Liam Livingstone | 2 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 7.00 |
RCB Batting (177/3 in 16.2 overs)
| Player | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate | How Out |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phil Salt | 56 | 31 | 9 | 2 | 180.64 | c Johnson b Varun Chakaravarthy |
| Virat Kohli | 59 | 36 | 4 | 3 | 163.88 | not out |
| Devdutt Padikkal | 10 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 100.00 | c Ramandeep Singh b Sunil Narine |
| Rajat Patidar | 34 | 16 | 5 | 1 | 212.50 | c Rinku Singh b Vaibhav Arora |
| Mahipal Lomror | 11 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 275.00 | not out |
| Extras | 3 | (lb 2, w 1) | ||||
| Total | 177/3 | 16.2 Ov | 10.70 |
| Bowler (KKR) | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vaibhav Arora | 3 | 0 | 42 | 1 | 14.00 |
| Mitchell Starc | 2.1 | 0 | 27 | 0 | 12.46 |
| Varun Chakaravarthy | 4 | 0 | 43 | 1 | 10.75 |
| Sunil Narine | 4 | 0 | 27 | 1 | 6.75 |
| Harshit Rana | 3 | 0 | 32 | 0 | 10.66 |
Key Performances and Analysis
- KKR's Batting: KKR's innings started poorly with de Kock's early dismissal, but Narine and Rahane's partnership of 103 runs provided hope. Rahane's 56 off 31, with 6 fours and 4 sixes, was a standout, while Narine's 44 off 26, including 5 fours and 3 sixes, added momentum. However, the middle order, including Iyer (6 off 7) and Russell (12 off 10), failed to build, leading to a total of 174/8. This collapse was unexpected, given KKR's reputation for depth.
- RCB's Batting: RCB's chase was dominated by Salt and Kohli, who put on 95 runs in 8.3 overs. Salt's 56 off 31, with 9 fours and 2 sixes, was aggressive, while Kohli's unbeaten 59 off 36, with 4 fours and 3 sixes, ensured a smooth chase. Patidar's 34 off 16, with 5 fours and 1 six, sealed the victory, highlighting RCB's batting depth.
- Bowling Performances: For RCB, Krunal Pandya's 3/29, including key wickets of Rahane, Iyer, and Russell, was crucial in controlling the middle overs. Hazlewood's 2/22, dismissing de Kock and Harshit Rana, provided early breakthroughs. For KKR, Varun Chakaravarthy (1/43) and Sunil Narine (1/27) tried to stem the flow, but RCB's aggressive batting, especially in the powerplay, proved too much.
Unexpected Observations
While KKR had a strong start with Rahane and Narine, their middle-order collapse was unexpected, allowing RCB to chase the total with ease. This was particularly surprising given KKR's defending champion status and their historical strength at Eden Gardens.
Match Context and Impact
This match was the IPL 2025 opener, and RCB's victory gave them an early lead in the points table. For KKR, this loss highlighted areas for improvement, especially in their middle order and bowling strategy. RCB's win, led by Salt, Kohli, and Patidar, boosted their net run rate and morale, setting a positive tone for the season.
Supporting Information
The weather was overcast, with no rain interruptions, ensuring a full match (Weather Report). The pitch was batting-friendly, as evidenced by the high scoring rate, particularly in the powerplay.
Key Citations
- Kolkata Knight Riders vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru, 1st Match, Mar 22, Indian Premier League 2025 | Cricbuzz.com
- IPL 2025 Live Cricket Score, KKR vs RCB Live Cricket Score Streaming Online Today Match: Kolkata Knight Riders vs Royal Challengers Bangalore ...
- KKR vs RCB Cricket Scorecard, 1st Match at Kolkata, March 22, 2025
- KKR VS RCB Live Score Indian Premier League 2025 Scoreboard Streaming Online Watch Kolkata Knight Riders Banam Royal Challengers Bengaluru Aaj ...
- IPL 2025, KKR vs RCB 1st Match Match Preview - KKR vs RCB kick off IPL spectacle for the first time since 2008
- KKR schedule, live scores and results | IPL 2024
