New Delhi: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) started the IPL 2025 season with a comfortable seven-wicket in the opening match of IPL 2025 against reigning champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Eden Gardens on Saturday.
Despite a flier start from Rahane (56 runs in 31 balls) and Sunil Narine (44 runs in 26 balls), the spin attack of RCB led by all-rounder Krunal Pandya stepped up to change the situation. The left-arm spinner took the big wicket of the KKR skipper for 56 in the 11th over after having him caught by Rasikh Salam at deep backward square leg.
The Rahane dismissal turned out to be a turning point for RCB with Pandya further defying the notion of left-arm spinner is not an ideal match against left-handers. He rattled the stumps of Venkatesh Iyer (6) and Rinku Singh (12) with two big batters going back to the pavilion without adding vital scores.
This helped RCB to hold the three-time IPL champions to a below-par score of 174 for 8 after they crossed the 100 runs at the halfway mark.
RCB Bowling unit:
first ten overs last ten overs. pic.twitter.com/wsiHgEh86n
— TukTuk Academy (@TukTuk_Academy) March 22, 2025
KKR should never let the openers go to RCB. History hasn’t been kind when that has happened. pic.twitter.com/j54ReoJ2a3
— Manya (@CSKian716) March 22, 2025
Congratulations to RCB for the emphatic win over KKR. Glad to hear the commentators finally say that RCB bowled well. The batting line up speaks for itself.
— Vijay Mallya (@TheVijayMallya) March 22, 2025
RCB planning for calculator season in May from the first match, I see. pic.twitter.com/JwcPdn8v0z
— Vinayakk (@vinayakkm) March 22, 2025
RCB match ends before 11pm and RCB fans aren’t sad pic.twitter.com/rGBgSTzbZk
— Homelander (Good Manners) (@aham_brahmasmi_) March 22, 2025
Salt, Kohli brisk fifties lead RCB’s winKKR should never let the openers go to RCB.
RCB openers Phil Salt (56 off 31 balls) and Virat Kohli (59 not out off 36 balls) laid a solid platform for the team in the moderate chase with their opening partnership put on for 95 runs in nine overs.
While Salt smashed a crackling fifty in 25 balls, Kohli played the second fiddle and later anchored the chase, mustering his 56th IPL fifty. There were some handy cameos from new RCB skipper Rajat Patidar (34 runs off 16 balls) and Liam Livingstone (15 runs off five balls) ensured the team spared 22 balls to complete the chase and start its campaign on a tremendous note.
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) secured a convincing seven-wicket victory over Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the IPL 2025 opener. Openers Salt and Kohli steered the team to victory with impressive fifties, setting the stage for a promising season. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
