Royal Challengers Bengaluru Kick Off IPL 2025 with a Commanding Seven-Wicket Win Over Kolkata Knight Riders

The 18th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) roared to life on March 22, 2025, at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata, where Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) delivered a statement victory against the defending champions, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), in the tournament opener. In a rematch of the IPL’s inaugural match from 2008—where KKR had famously thumped RCB by 140 runs—this time, it was RCB who turned the tables, chasing down 175 with seven wickets in hand and 22 balls to spare. Powered by a blazing start from Phil Salt and Virat Kohli, and a disciplined bowling effort led by Krunal Pandya, RCB set the tone for their 2025 campaign with a performance that blended aggression, composure, and teamwork.

The clash carried extra weight as a symbolic full-circle moment for the IPL. Seventeen years after Brendon McCullum’s unbeaten 158 lit up the league’s first-ever game, KKR and RCB faced off again to launch the 2025 season. KKR, under new captain Ajinkya Rahane following Shreyas Iyer’s departure, leaned on a core of proven performers like Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, and Rinku Singh, aiming to defend their 2024 title. RCB, still chasing their elusive first IPL crown, arrived with a revamped squad led by Rajat Patidar, buoyed by the additions of Phil Salt, Krunal Pandya, and Josh Hazlewood, and the ever-reliable Virat Kohli.

The Eden Gardens faithful filled the stands, eager to see their champions begin their title defense on a high. But RCB, often the bridesmaids of the IPL, had other plans, determined to rewrite history and kick off their campaign with a bang.

Rajat Patidar won the toss and opted to bowl, a decision that paid dividends as RCB’s bowlers executed a stunning turnaround. KKR’s innings began brightly, with openers Quinton de Kock and Sunil Narine setting a brisk pace. Narine, in particular, looked in vintage form, smashing 44 off 26 balls, including a flurry of boundaries and sixes. Captain Rahane, leading from the front on his KKR debut, joined the party with a scintillating 56 off 31 balls, featuring a 25-ball fifty that showcased his intent. By the 10th over, KKR were cruising at 107 for 2, poised for a total well beyond 200.

But the tide turned dramatically in the second half. Krunal Pandya, making an immediate impact on his RCB debut, triggered a collapse with a spell of 3 for 29 in four overs. Introduced in the 11th over, he dismissed Rahane, caught at long-on, before removing Rinku Singh and Venkatesh Iyer in quick succession. His mix of pace variation and accuracy choked KKR’s momentum, reducing them to 141 for 5 by the 15th over.

Josh Hazlewood complemented Pandya’s heroics with a tight 2 for 22, striking early to remove de Kock and later returning to disrupt KKR’s death overs. The Australian pacer’s disciplined lines and use of the Eden Gardens’ bounce stifled KKR’s big hitters, notably Andre Russell, who managed just 12 before falling to Suyash Sharma. The final 10 overs yielded only 67 runs, with KKR limping to 174 for 8—a total Rahane later admitted was “under-par” given their strong start. RCB’s bowlers, especially Pandya and Hazlewood, had flipped the script, setting up a chase that their batsmen would relish.

Chasing 175 on a batting-friendly Eden Gardens surface, RCB’s openSupplementalers—Phil Salt and Virat Kohli—wasted no time. Salt, returning to his former home ground, unleashed a ferocious assault, racing to 56 off 31 balls. His powerplay onslaught included a 21-run over off Varun Chakaravarthy, featuring three fours and a six, as RCB rocketed to 80 for 0 in six overs. Kohli, at the other end, played the anchor-aggressor role to perfection, striking at over 163 and finishing unbeaten on 59 off 36 balls.

The pair’s 85-run stand in the powerplay effectively killed the contest early. Salt’s departure in the eighth over, bowled by Harshit Rana for 56, brought Devdutt Padikkal to the crease, but Kohli kept the runs flowing with trademark cover drives and lofted shots. Padikkal’s brief stay ended at 12, caught off Vaibhav Arora, but captain Patidar stepped up with a brisk 34 off 16, including a hooked four over fine leg that showcased his attacking intent. His dismissal in the 15th over, caught at deep midwicket, paved the way for Liam Livingstone to finish the job, smashing a six and a four off Spencer Johnson to seal the win at 177 for 3 in 16.2 overs.

Krunal Pandya’s Game-Changing Spell: Named Player of the Match, Pandya’s 3 for 29 turned the tide, breaking KKR’s backbone in the middle overs. His ability to adapt to the pitch and outfox set batsmen highlighted his value to RCB’s revamped lineup.
Salt and Kohli’s Powerplay Blitz: The openers’ 80-run burst in six overs handed RCB an unassailable advantage, with Salt’s aggression and Kohli’s consistency proving the perfect blend.
Rahane’s Valiant Effort: Despite the loss, Rahane’s 56 off 31 on captaincy debut was a bright spot for KKR, though he’d rue the lack of support in the latter stages.

Rajat Patidar, beaming after his first win as RCB captain, praised his team’s collective effort: “It was a good day for us. Krunal and Suyash were brilliant with the ball, and Phil and Virat set it up perfectly in the chase. We backed our plans, and it worked.” He singled out Suyash Sharma’s dismissal of Russell as a pivotal moment, despite the spinner’s otherwise expensive figures.

Ajinkya Rahane, reflective in defeat, acknowledged KKR’s shortcomings: “We were going well till the 13th over, but those 2-3 wickets changed the momentum. We aimed for 200-plus, but their bowlers executed better. The dew helped them a bit, but we couldn’t capitalize.”

RCB’s emphatic win sends a message to the league: they’re here to compete. Their next challenge comes against Lucknow Super Giants on March 25, where they’ll look to build on this momentum. For KKR, the loss exposes vulnerabilities in their middle order and bowling depth, with a quick turnaround against Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 24 to address these concerns.

This seven-wicket triumph wasn’t just a win—it was a redemption of sorts for RCB, erasing memories of that 2008 thrashing at the same venue. With Salt’s fireworks, Kohli’s class, and Pandya’s guile, RCB showcased a balanced unit capable of challenging for the title. As the IPL 2025 season unfolds over the next two months, this opener at Eden Gardens will be remembered as the night RCB announced their arrival—and perhaps signaled a shift in their storied rivalry with KKR. For now, the Royal Challengers sit atop the standings, their fans daring to dream of that long-awaited trophy.