Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will face the reigning champion Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Saturday, March 22, in the opening match of their IPL 2025 campaign.
A new era for the well-liked team is beginning under Rajat Patidar’s leadership as they aim to capture their elusive first IPL championship. After losing seven of their first eight games the previous season, RCB had to work extremely hard in the latter stages of the tournament to qualify for the playoffs. In the IPL 2025, they would like to start strong and learn from their mistakes from the previous season.
Here are three points they must ensure in their opening encounter:
1. Do not overuse Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood in powerplay
RCB have done well to rope in two experienced seamers in Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood. However, it is important for Patidar to use them wisely. KKR have some tremendous hitters at the backend like Andre Russell, Ramandeep Singh, and Rinku Singh. While Bhuvneshwar and Hazlewood can be formidable options with the new ball, they should have ample overs left to bowl at the backend when KKR’s big-hitting trio will be in action.
2. Pick Varun Chakaravarthy from the hand
KKR’s mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy is in the form of his life. He bagged nine wickets from three games in India’s triumphant Champions Trophy 2025 campaign. Batters have mostly failed to pick him from his hand and tried to play him off the pitch. This has proved to be a dreadful ploy which has played into Chakaravarthy’s hands. Eden Gardens has not provided much turn in recent years. If the RCB batters can do their homework against the Indian spinner and start reading his variations from his hand, they could put him under serious pressure.
3. Drop conservatism at the top
RCB have acquired the services of the explosive Phil Salt, who is expected to open the innings. Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal could form the top three alongside Salt. Kohli, who won the IPL Orange Cap last year, likes to take his time before going hammer and tongs. Padikkal can also be a slow starter. Eden Gardens is expected to provide a fantastic batting surface. Last season, Punjab Kings slammed records, chasing down a 262-run target at the historic venue. The top-order will have to come out all guns blazing and make optimal use of the field restrictions inside the powerplay. Dropping anchor and saving wickets for the backend is not the ideal tactic at the venue.
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