1ST Match: RCB vs KKR
Date: 22 March 2025
Timing: 7:30 PM
Ground : Eden Gardens (Kolkata)
The IPL starts tonight at 7.30 p.m. with a match between RCB vs KKR, the winners of the last tournament, at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. As is customary, there will be a lavish opening ceremony before the first match begins. With teams appearing very different from the previous year, this will be the first tournament following the massive auctions.However, with the IMD predicting rain throughout the region today, concerns have been raised regarding the weather in Kolkata. There are also some new regulations and changes in this year’s IPL. The BCCI relaxed the rule on using saliva on the ball on Thursday. At the captains’ meeting in Mumbai, the decision was made. As a preventative action during the COVID-19 outbreak, the ICC outlawed the traditional method of shining the ball with saliva.
The goal of KKR’s title defence will be to start off strong, while Patidar’s RCB will be focused on moving past their setbacks. Virat Kohli’s eagerly awaited comeback to T20 cricket at Eden Gardens will heighten the excitement. This will be his first appearance in the format since he retired following India’s victory in the T20 World Cup last year. The Indian icon’s return to action will undoubtedly be enjoyed by the home crowd.
Pitch Report for KKR vs. RCB at Eden Gardens
Particularly in the IPL, the Eden Gardens field is well known for being a batter-friendly surface. Typically, it provides a level surface with steady bounce, enabling batters to confidently execute their shots. However, Eden Gardens provides a little more help for bowlers, which adds a little balance to the match, in contrast to the even flatter fields that were observed in places like Bengaluru and Hyderabad last season.
Players to Keep an Eye on in the RCB vs. KKR Match
RCB: When Virat Kohli plays for RCB this season, it will be his 400th T20 match. Already the most prolific scorer in IPL history, he has the potential to surpass four different teams and reach the 1000-run mark.
KKR: From the perspective of the Kolkata Knight Riders, Venkatesh Iyer will be the most significant acquisition for the team at the super auction. Varun Chakravarthy is another player to keep an eye on because of his performance at the Champions Trophy and his ability to stop Virat Kohli over the years. If he could accomplish the same today, it would be intriguing.
RCB vs KKR IPL Today Match Squads
RCB squad: Virat Kohli, Yash Dayal, Josh Hazlewood, Phil Salt, Jitesh Sharma, Liam Livingstone, Rasikh Dar, Suyash Sharma, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Swapnil Singh, Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Nuwan Thushara, Manoj Bhandage, Jacob Bethel, Devdutt Padikkal, Swastik Chhikara, Lungi Ngidi, Abhinandan Singh, and Mohit Rathee; Rajat Patidar (c).
KKR squad: Captain Ajinkya Rahane, vice-captain Venkatesh Iyer, Quinton de Kock, Rovman Powell, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Luvnith Sisodia, Manish Pandey, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Ramandeep Singh, Rinku Singh, Moeen Ali, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, andre Roy, Vaibhav Arora, Spencer Johnson, Mayank Markande, Anrich Nortje, Umran Malik, and Varun Chakravarthy.
RCB vs KKR 2024 IPL Performance:
The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) played each other twice during the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) season, with KKR winning both games.
First Encounter: Bengaluru, March 29, 2024:
The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) squared off in Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on March 29, 2024. RCB set a goal of 183 runs when they batted first. Even though KKR got off to a fast start, RCB’s bowlers were able to claim important wickets, including as Sunil Narine, who left the game for 47 runs. With 19 balls left, Venkatesh Iyer’s patient 50 and Shreyas Iyer’s fast 30 helped KKR win by 7 wickets.
Key Performances:
RCB: Before succumbing to Sunil Narine, Faf du Plessis scored 22 runs, while Virat Kohli hit a fast 62 from 43 balls.
KKR: The pace was set by Sunil Narine’s aggressive 47 off 22 balls, Venkatesh Iyer’s 50 off 35 balls, and Shreyas Iyer’s 30 off 20 balls, which made the chase easy.
By defeating RCB in Bengaluru, KKR ended their previous losing skid and recorded their first away victory in the 2024 Indian Premier League.
Second Encounter: Kolkata, April 21, 2024:
One of the most exciting matches in the Indian Premier League (IPL) took place at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on April 21, 2024, when the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) defeated the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) by a slim margin of one run.
KKR’s Innings: The top order’s strong contributions helped KKR set a lofty goal of 223 runs. The innings was sparked by opener Phil Salt, who scored a quick 48 from 14 balls, including three sixes and seven fours. With a cool 50 off 36 balls, captain Shreyas Iyer held the middle overs in check. The late burst was given by Ramandeep Singh’s cameo of 24* off nine balls, while Andre Russell added a rapid 27* off 20 balls. Four wickets were lost for 26 runs during the innings’ short collapse, but strategic partnerships guaranteed 222/6 in 20 overs.
RCB’s Innings: Virat Kohli (8 off 5 balls) and Faf du Plessis (7 off 7 balls) got the RCB chase off to a determined start. Both were defeated by KKR’s spinners, though, and Kohli’s dismissal was especially controversial because of a waist-high full toss. With a quick 102-run partnership in only 48 balls, Will Jacks (55 off 32 balls) and Rajat Patidar (52 off 23 balls) salvaged the innings. Despite this uptick, Andre Russell and Sunil Narine’s push caused the RCB middle order to crumble, dropping them to 155/6. RCB came close thanks to Dinesh Karthik’s 27 off 20 balls and Karn Sharma’s heroic late attack, which included three sixes in the last over. But KKR won thanks to a run out off the last ball and Mitchell Starc’s return catch off Karn.
Key Performances:
KKR: Shreyas Iyer’s resolute innings and Phil Salt’s blazing start were crucial. Andre Russell won Player of the Match for his all-around effort, which included 27* runs and 3 wickets for 25 runs.
RCB: The quick collaboration between Jacks and Patidar demonstrated their intention. Although Karn Sharma’s late burst nearly changed the outcome, it was unable to guarantee victory.
This game perfectly captured the erratic character of Twenty20 cricket, as results fluctuated right up until the very end.
