At Eden Gardens, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) defeated Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) by a commanding seven wickets to start their IPL 2025 campaign. Despite Sunil Narine’s 44 off 26 and Ajinkya Rahane’s 56 off 31, RCB’s decision to field first held KKR to 174/8. The top bowler, Krunal Pandya, took 3/29, while Josh Hazlewood took 2/22.
Virat Kohli’s undefeated 59 off 36 and Phil Salt’s 56 off 31 balls gave RCB a strong start as they chased 175. Kohli supported the innings as KKR’s bowlers were under pressure from Salt’s aggressive intent. The chase was completed in just 16.2 overs thanks to Liam Livingstone’s rapid 15 off 5 and Rajat Patidar’s strong cameo of 34 off 16.
Only Sunil Narine, Varun Chakravarthy, and Vaibhav Arora were able to claim a wicket apiece as KKR’s bowlers struggled. A convincing victory was guaranteed by RCB’s excellent all-around effort.
Key Moments from Match 1 of IPL 2025:
1. Virat Kohli-Phil Salt opening stand
Phil Salt and Virat Kohli’s fifties guided the Bengaluru franchise to a comfortable victory. Playing his debut game for RCB, Salt smashed 56 off 31 balls, while Kohli, in his 400th T20 innings, struck 59 off 36 balls. Their partnership registered RCB’s second-highest powerplay score (80/0). Kohli also became the third batter to score 1,000 IPL runs against KKR. Additionally, their 14 boundaries in the powerplay rank third in RCB history.
The iconic Virat Kohli goes down the ground
Sit back and enjoy his exquisite stroke play
@RCBTweets race away to 80/0 after 6 overs.
Updates
https://t.co/C9xIFpQDTn#TATAIPL | #KKRvRCB | @imVkohli pic.twitter.com/w4imLyZgbA
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) March 22, 2025
#RCB fans, enjoyed your captain’s innings?
Rajat Patidar sprinkled his elegant touch to the chase with a quick-fire 34(16)
@RCBTweets moving closer to the target
Updates
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) March 22, 2025
2. Krunal Pandya’s crucial spell
RCB all-rounder Krunal Pandya delivered a match-winning spell. On a batting-friendly surface, the veteran left-arm spinner picked up 3/29 in four overs, dismantling KKR’s middle order. After a shaky first over, Krunal returned strongly following Sunil Narine’s dismissal. He removed a well-set Ajinkya Rahane for 56 before cleaning up Venkatesh Iyer and Rinku Singh. Acquired by RCB for INR 5.75 crores in the 2025 auction, Krunal’s performance justified his price tag as he proved to be a game-changer in his new franchise’s campaign opener.
Spirited comeback with the ball
Dominating effort with the bat@RCBTweets are up and away in #TATAIPL 2025 with a commanding win over #KKR
Scorecard
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) March 22, 2025
𝗪𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴’𝘂𝗻 done 𝗥𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁
Suyash Sharma gets the big one
#RCB bowlers continue to chip away at the wickets
Updates
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) March 22, 2025
GONE! After getting a life, #QuintondeKock is caught behind courtesy a neat catch and #JoshHazlewood has the first wicket of #TATAIPL 2025!
Watch LIVE action on #JioHotstar! #IPLonJioStar #KKRvRCB, LIVE NOW pic.twitter.com/Lq9ZcvzYvA
— JioHotstar (@JioHotstar) March 22, 2025
3. Ajinkya Rahane-Sunil Narine stabilize KKR’s innings
Ajinkya Rahane made his debut as KKR captain on a good note, particularly with the bat. After Quinton de Kock’s early dismissal, Rahane took the responsibility on himself, shifting gears in the fourth over by hammering Rasik Dar Salam for 16 runs. His intent gave KKR momentum, allowing Sunil Narine to dominate after a slow start. Struggling at 9/1 after three overs, the side reached 60/1 in six overs. Rahane brought up his fifty in just 25 balls before falling for 56 off 31 balls, hitting six fours and four sixes. Meanwhile, Narine smashed 44 off 26 as the duo stitched 103 runs.
First match as #KKR captain
First fifty of the seasonAjinkya Rahane continues to make merry
Updates
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) March 22, 2025
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