IPL 2025: KKR vs RCB Match 1 – Who will be Impact Players for today’s match?

Match Overview

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the opening match of the Indian Premier League 2025. This match will be played at Eden Gardens. Kolkata Knight Riders are the defending champions from the previous edition while Royal Challengers Bengaluru finished fourth in the table and lost in the Eliminator

Predicted Impact Players for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)

1. Manish Pandey – Can provide batting cover and be used as an impact sub if KKR loses early wickets while batting first.
2. Angriksh Raghuvanshi – He could be used as an impact sub when they are batting second and was the most used impact sub for KKR in the previous season. He scored 163 runs in ten matches.
3. Mayank Markande – He provides an option for leg-spin if needed in the second innings. He might be used as a sub in the second innings
4. Vaibhav Arora – He can swing the new ball and can be used as an impact sub in the second innings if there is some help in the pitch for the pacers.

Predicted Impact Players for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)

1. Swapnil Singh – He is a left-arm spinner who has done well in the last season. Can also be handy with his batting lower down the order. He picked up six wickets in seven matches last season.
2. Suyash Sharma – Leg Spinner and might come in if conditions are spin-friendly. Has played at the Eden Gardens in the last few editions when he represented Kolkata Knight Riders.
3. Mohit Rathee – Domestic All-rounder who bats in the middle order and can bowl leg-spin. Has scored 54 runs and picked up 1 wicket in the previous 2 domestic T20 matches.
4. Swastik Chakra – Domestic batter who has been in good form and could potentially be used if RCB loses early wickets and he can sub a top-order batter.

Expert Opinion and Final Prediction

• Home Advantage: KKR’s playing at Eden Gardens gives them a significant edge.
• Recent Form: They have won four consecutive matches against RCB.
• Balanced Side: KKR looks more balanced on paper.

Prediction: With these factors in their favour, Kolkata Knight Riders are likely to win the match.