The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) kicked off their 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) campaign with a commanding seven-wicket victory against the defending champions, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), at Eden Gardens on Saturday, March 22, 2025. RCB successfully chased down a target of 175 runs, showcasing a formidable performance from their opening pair, Phil Salt and Virat Kohli.
Opting to bowl first, RCB saw KKR post a total of 174 runs for eight wickets in their 20 overs. Following a shaky start, with Quinton de Kock dismissed for four runs in the first over by Josh Hazlewood, KKR’s captain Ajinkya Rahane and Sunil Narine lifted the team's hopes with a notable partnership. Together, they added 103 runs for the second wicket, with Rahane making a top score of 56 off just 31 balls, hitting five fours and two sixes. Narine also made a valuable contribution with 44 runs off 26 balls before RCB's bowlers struck back.
Krunal Pandya emerged as the star bowler for RCB, restricting the Knights with figures of 3-29 in his four overs. Additionally, Hazlewood supported well by taking 2-22, ensuring RCB limited KKR's scoring potential, particularly in the latter half of the innings. After a rapid start, KKR's scoring stalled following the dismissals of Rahane and Narine. Ultimately, Angkrish Raghuvanshi was the only other batsman to reach double digits, contributing 30 runs, resulting in KKR ending their innings at a challenging yet manageable total.
When RCB began their innings, Salt and Kohli wasted no time in asserting dominance. The duo delivered an explosive opening partnership of 95 runs in just 8.3 overs, with Salt leading the charge. Salt dazzled with his aggressive batting, smashing 56 runs off 31 balls, including nine boundaries and two over-boundaries. He notably targeted KKR's ace spinner Varun Chakravarthy, scoring 21 runs off one over, setting an early tone for RCB's chase.
Kohli, in typically poised fashion, complemented Salt’s aggressiveness with a solid innings of his own—59 runs not out off 36 balls, which included four fours and three sixes. His performance added the much-needed stability to the chase, ensuring RCB stayed ahead of the required run rate throughout the innings. The pair's chemistry at the crease was evident, as they capitalized on poor bowling from KKR.
"We haven’t batted much together, Virat and I, so to go out and put a partnership together was the most important thing for us in game one," Salt remarked after the match. "It's a ground I know very well. I had a clear and simple game plan and I would have liked to go on a bit longer, but it wasn't to be." Joy among the RCB fans surged as the team cruised to victory, finishing at 177 runs for three wickets in just 16.2 overs.
This opening match was a significant moment, especially for Salt, who was not retained by KKR after his contributions during their title-winning campaign last season. His performance against his former side highlighted his capabilities and showcased RCB's smart decision to sign him during the auction. Salt’s aggressive approach will likely play a key role in RCB's strategy for the season ahead as they aim to finally clinch their first IPL title.
Kohli’s thoughtful execution of the chase further illustrated his experience, especially critical in high-pressure situations like these. New captain Rajat Patidar also chipped in with a quickfire 34 runs, helping in securing RCB's win. After Salt was dismissed by Chakravarthy attempting another big hit, the match remained under RCB’s control, with Kohli guiding them home efficiently.
The crowd at Eden Gardens delivered a spirited atmosphere, chanting slogans as the home team fell short of expectations while RCB delighted their fans with a powerful display. Kohli, who celebrated his 400th T20 match on the day, handled the pressure and emerged victorious in their opening encounter.
Despite the loss, KKR's Rahane acknowledged their mistakes post-match. He expressed disappointment regarding his team's failure to capitalize on their solid start, stating, "We thought that 210-220 on this wicket would be achievable, but two to three wickets in the middle overs changed the momentum." The defeat puts KKR in a challenging position as they prepare to face the Rajasthan Royals next.
As RCB looks ahead, they now have the momentum to continue their winning streak when they next face the Chennai Super Kings, aiming to build on this promising start.
