The IPL returns after its two-month break, and the season opener between kolkata knight riders vs royal challengers bengaluru should provide plenty of excitement and drama. Both teams boast impressive records against one another and this should prove an entertaining matchup.
KKR are struggling for runs, and require some decisive hits from Raghuvanshi but unfortunately he was caught at midwicket off Hazlewood’s bowling. Raghuvanshi attempted to go for some big shots but was caught at midwicket by Hazlewood at midwicket – needing something big to turn their fortunes.
| Date | Winner | Margin | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17-May-2025 | No Result | — | Bengaluru (Sportskeeda, Jagranjosh.com) |
| 22-Mar-2025 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Won by 7 wickets | Kolkata (Sportskeeda, Freak Cricket) |
| 21-Apr-2024 | Kolkata Knight Riders | Won by 1 run | Kolkata (Sportskeeda, Jagranjosh.com) |
| 29-Mar-2024 | Kolkata Knight Riders | Won by 7 wickets | Bengaluru (Sportskeeda, Jagranjosh.com) |
| 26-Apr-2023 | Kolkata Knight Riders | Won by 21 runs | Bengaluru (Sportskeeda, Freak Cricket) |
RCB: Virat Kohli
Starting off IPL 2025 on an epic note will be two teams from Kolkata & Bengal, KKR vs RCB. This matchup marks an epic opening game.
The defending champions have made significant adjustments to their lineup this season and will look to start off on the right note against an equally formidable Bengaluru side in this encounter. It will be pivotal as both teams strive for playoff spots.
Virat Kohli will lead his side back into contention this season as they hope for him to recreate last year’s magic, when they secured a top-4 finish.
KKR: Kuldeep Yadav
KKR’s chase has faltered and they need an unlikely victory to keep themselves in contention. Ajinkya Rahane continues to bat well, yet the pressure from RCB captain Virat Kohli seems to have subsided somewhat.
AB de Villiers has come in to bat, making this matchup very interesting. KKR must score 177 runs within 18 balls or face defeat.
Ajinkya Rahane strikes two boundaries in the powerplay, first by hitting a sweep shot over fine leg for four and then by exploiting an opening between two fielders on leg side to hit sixes.
KKR’s last-ditch hopes of making the playoffs are all but gone now. Ajinkya Rahane was on an excellent batting form, yet they struggled to maintain momentum after losing key wickets quickly.
Josh Hazlewood and Yash Dayal’s bowling at the death was outstanding; they took three wickets off Harshit Rana during one over before Jitesh Sharma took an excellent catch to secure another wicket for them.
KKR: Sunil Narine
KKR are currently struggling to qualify for the playoffs, and should this game get postponed or is cancelled they would only have 12 points after 13 matches, meaning other teams such as MI or DC could easily overtake them by winning their remaining two matches and knock them off of contention for play-off berths.
Sunil Narine has been in superb form for KKR this season and will look to maintain it. He has scored two fifties and one century so far – two key contributions towards their win against RCB. KKR needs Sunil Narine at his best against them!
RCB: Parthiv Patel
RCB and KKR’s fierce rivalry has produced some of the most thrilling cricket ever witnessed in IPL history, featuring high-scoring thrillers and controversial nail-biters alike. This chronological timeline will take you through key games and special performances that have shaped their heated rivalry.
Patel was an extraordinary talent who dazzled through both India’s U-19 and U-19 India teams, leading the latter to victory at the 1999 Zonal Championship. Additionally, he consistently performed for India Test team; scoring over 11,000 first-class runs and 1,706 international runs in first-class cricket alone.
India used Patel as one of their wicket-keepers prior to Mahendra Singh Dhoni coming to prominence. While not as adept with bat or ball, Patel made his mark as a reliable wicket keeper who took some crucial catches during IPL seasons 6-8, including with CSK, Mumbai Indians, RCB among others.
KKR: Shreyas Gopal
KKR have struggled in the first half of the season and currently stand seventh in the table. Therefore, this match represents an imperative opportunity to gain success while Royal Challengers Bangalore have outshone them by winning five out of their initial seven matches and sitting atop.
Yusuf Pathan’s unbeaten rapid fifty and Andre Russell’s all-round performance helped Kolkata Knight Riders secure an emphatic five-wicket win against Royal Challengers Bangalore in the 30th match of Indian Premier League at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru on Saturday.
Starting back from their inaugural IPL match at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru in 2008, these two teams have enjoyed an intense rivalry throughout its history. Here is an analysis of how both sides have performed against one another over time.
RCB: Trent Boult
Trent Boult hails from New Zealand and currently plays for Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League. Since his debut at that franchise during 2015 edition of tournament – Trent is an integral member of their side and regularly seen bowling fast-medium with left arm seam.
Boult will look to continue his successful campaign from last year’s tournament, after taking 16 wickets at an economy rate of 7.97 and producing some outstanding performances with the ball.
RCB are currently at the top of the points table and an easy win would all but secure their place in the play-offs. Kolkata are currently mired in midfield and could suffer serious setbacks should they lose here, potentially jeopardizing any hopes they had of reaching round two.
KKR: Ishant Sharma
Ishant Sharma is renowned for his powerful fast bowling delivery. At 35, Ishant has established himself as an immensely respected cricketer across the globe after picking up crucial wickets in India’s 2008 tour of Australia.
He has been one of the keystones in Delhi’s attack and has excelled this season, taking 11 wickets across nine matches for the Capitals.
In the final over, Ishant made his presence felt by bowling an accurate pin-point yorker that sent Russell flying backwards, forcing KKR’s star backwards onto his backside.
Angkrish Raghuvanshi hits Hazlewood for an important six, trying for something big but failing. Jitesh Sharma made an excellent catch at midwicket as the over only produced 13 runs as KKR are struggling in their chase – they currently stand at 107/1 with 9.3 overs remaining and need another 67 runs to win.
RCB: Jitesh Sharma
Jitesh Sharma was an important acquisition for Royal Challengers Bangalore at his base price of Rs 10 lakh in 2016. Since then, he has demonstrated the ability to play cameos and close out games over time. A versatile lower middle order player and wicket keeper, Jitesh has proven himself worthy.
RCB are making progress despite an underwhelming first half batting effort and will look to increase their net run rate early in the tournament.
Neon dance performances and fireworks light up the stadium as fans cheer R-C-B! Crowds include young and old alike. However, some have had difficulty entering the grounds; Jitesh Sharma of Vidarbha in domestic cricket required assistance from commentator Dinesh Karthik when entering. Since making his list A debut in February 2014 he has scored 537 runs over 14 innings including two centuries.
KKR: Krunal Pandya
Rivalry between Andre Russell and Virat Kohli remains high-strung off of the pitch as well. Last summer, Andre launched into an aggressive tirade at Eden Gardens press conference room against Virat Kohli; since then Dinesh Karthik has switched sides but tension remains.
M Chinnaswamy Stadium pitches have long been considered batsmen-friendly, giving batsmen plenty of opportunities to score early overs. However, KKR spinners have found ways to restrict that.
Phil Salt is an aggressive new-ball bowler while Varun Chakaravarthy can slow the tempo down by coming in after three or four overs to restrict runs and create scarcity of runs. Pandya’s smart bowling style ensures an entertaining duel.
Pandya advises playing before such large crowds requires narrowing your focus while today’s batters have become adept at producing an array of shots which require adaptable bowlers who keep improving their delivery to stay relevant in today’s market.
