The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 commenced with a thrilling encounter on March 22, 2025, as the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) faced off against the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata. This match set the tone for the season with KKR aiming to defend their title while RCB sought their first championship victory.
Under the leadership of their new captain Rajat Patidar, RCB won the toss and opted to bowl first. "We decided to bowl first, as the pitch seemed hard," Patidar explained after the match. As the proceedings got underway, KKR's innings began with a significant challenge, losing opener Quinton de Kock early on, bowled by Josh Hazlewood for just 4 runs.
However, KKR found stability through their captain Ajinkya Rahane and all-rounder Sunil Narine. Rahane, showcasing excellent form, scored 56 off 31 balls, while Narine contributed with 44 runs from 26 balls. Their resilience helped KKR reach a total of 174 runs, a score they hoped would be defendable.
Despite the shaky start, Rahane acknowledged, "We intended to make over 200 runs, but a few wickets shifted the momentum." His team was in a strong position at one point during their innings before losing crucial wickets towards the end.
RCB’s response was explosive, led by the formidable opening partnership between Phil Salt and Virat Kohli. The duo put together an impressive 95 runs in just 8.3 overs. Salt's aggressive batting saw him score 56 runs off 31 balls, which included nine boundaries and two sixes, marking a stellar debut for him in IPL 2025.
Kohli, known for his exceptional chasing abilities, finished the match not out with 59 runs off 36 balls, guiding RCB to a total of 177 runs in just 16.2 overs. "It was great to be part of RCB; the support from the crowd was wonderful," Salt remarked, reflecting on the electrifying atmosphere at the ground.
RCB secured a victory by 7 wickets, with Liam Livingstone hitting the winning boundary. Krunal Pandya, who excelled with his bowling, taking 3 wickets while giving away only 29 runs, earned the 'Man of the Match' title for his exemplary performance. He stated, "I am happy to have delivered today and successfully mixed my speeds.”
Post-match, captain Patidar expressed satisfaction with the team's performance and emphasized the importance of learning from each game. "It was good to have a player like Virat Kohli in the team; learning from such great players is phenomenal," he commented about his team’s depth and experience.
On the other hand, KKR's captain Ajinkya Rahane remained optimistic despite the defeat, saying, "We faced pressure today, but we will try to learn from this game as it is just the beginning of the season." He acknowledged the need to tighten their bowling in future matches, particularly in the face of RCB's explosive batting.
As IPL 2025 unfolds, all eyes will be on RCB as they aim to maintain this momentum and KKR seeking to bounce back after a tough start. Fans can expect more thrilling matches ahead as the tournament progresses, showcasing the best of cricketing talent and competitive spirit.
