IPL 2025: RCB triumphs over KKR by seven wickets in season opener

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) made an impressive start to their IPL 2025 campaign, defeating defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) by seven wickets in the tournament opener at Eden Gardens. RCB successfully chased down KKR’s total of 174/8, reaching 177/3 with 22 balls to spare.

The much-anticipated first IPL after the latest mega auction saw RCB’s new acquisitions making an immediate impact. Josh Hazlewood, returning to the IPL after a long injury layoff, was instrumental in RCB’s early breakthroughs, finishing with 4-0-22-2 in his spell. Krunal Pandya also played a key role, taking 3 wickets for 29 runs, including the crucial dismissal of Ajinkya Rahane. 

In reply, Phil Salt’s blistering 56 off 31 balls, along with Virat Kohli’s composed 59* off 36, guided RCB to a comfortable victory. Kohli’s innings helped RCB reach the target with ease, and his aggressive approach in the latter stages of the chase further boosted the team’s net run rate.

The match started with Hazlewood making an immediate impact, using the pitch’s spongy bounce to trouble KKR’s openers. Although he was unavailable for last year’s IPL, his return in 2025 proved crucial. In his opening spell, Hazlewood forced Quinton de Kock to drop a catch before dismissing him two balls later. He also troubled Sunil Narine, who was unable to get going in the early overs.

KKR’s slow start was quickly compensated by Rahane, who brought momentum into the innings with aggressive stroke play. He was helped by Narine, who, despite struggling initially with the bounce, managed to find his rhythm as the innings progressed. The two players added 98 runs in overs 4 to 10, with Rahane hitting most of his early runs over the leg side.

A key moment came when Narine targeted RCB’s Suyash Sharma. Narine went after him aggressively, scoring 22 runs in the ninth over to shift the momentum in KKR's favor.

RCB’s breakthrough came in the 10th over when Narine, attempting to take on Rasikh Salam, was dismissed due to extra bounce. With KKR’s score at 107/1, RCB turned to Krunal, who made an immediate impact by picking up three quick wickets. Rahane was dismissed to a brilliant catch at midwicket, and Venkatesh Iyer and Rinku Singh were both bowled out. 

When Andre Russell came in, RCB opted for legspin. Russell’s poor record against the legspinner continued as he was bowled out by Suyash Sharma, who took a crucial wicket for RCB. Since 2018, Russell has averaged just 13.41 against legspin, and the dismissal proved vital for RCB.

During the chase, Salt wasted no time in punishing his former team. His aggressive 56 set the tone for RCB’s chase, and when Varun Chakravarthy was introduced, Salt continued to dominate, smashing him for 20 runs in an over. Kohli, on the other hand, kept the momentum going, ensuring that RCB’s required run rate stayed under control.

Although Salt was eventually dismissed, RCB had already reached 95/1 in 8.3 overs, with the asking rate under seven per over. Kohli continued to play aggressively, including a slog-sweep six off Varun in his final over, as he looked to finish the game quickly and with a significant net run-rate boost. Rajat Patidar provided valuable support, scoring a quick-fire 34 off 16 balls, as RCB romped home to victory.