Picture : IPL / X
Royal Challengers Bengaluru began their TataIPL2025 campaign in emphatic way as they beat the defending champions the Kolkata Knight Riders at their home ground Eden Gardens , by 7 wickets.
RCB skipper Rajat Patidar won the toss and had no hesitation in bowling first. KKR were rocked early with seasoned Quinton de Kock dismissed by Aussie Josh Hazlewood ( returning after missing the Champions Trophy 2025 with injury). KKR Skipper Ajinkya Rahane put the side back on track with some lovely shots and striking the ball with the middle of the bat. In his debut as Captain he led from the front with superb 56 ( 31 balls , 6fours, 4 sixes) along with Sunil Narine put on a 100 run partnership . KKR were on course for big total . Sunil Narine scored 44 ( 26 balls , 5 fours , 3 sixes) .
But with Rahane and Narine dismissed quickly little later. KKR innings floundered. Krunal Pandya did the damage with three wickets to his name to bring RCB back in the game. Besides Rahane, Krunal took the wickets of Ventakesh Iyer ( 6) and Rinku Singh ( 12). Talented Angkrish Raghuvanshi scored 30. The big man Andre Russell out for ( 4) . Ramandeep Singh not out 6 and Spenscer Johnson not out 1. KKR at one stage looked to touch 200 ended up at 174/ 8 in their 20 overs. RCB bowlers particularly Josh Hazlewood and Krunal Pandya with his variation in spin pegged back KKR .
For his impressive and game changing spell of 3⃣/2⃣9⃣, Krunal Pandya bagged the Player of the Match award that helped #RCB register a 7⃣-wicket victory 👌👌
Scorecard ▶ https://t.co/C9xIFpQDTn#TATAIPL | #KKRvRCB | @RCBTweets | @krunalpandya24 pic.twitter.com/NqbiTqasNT
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) March 22, 2025
RCB bowling figures : Josh Hazlewood impressive 2/ 22 ( 4 overs) , Krunal Pandya gave RCB the breakthroughs with 3/ 29 ( 4 overs) Yash Dayal 1/ 25 ( 3 overs) , Rasikh Dar Salam 1/ 35 ( 3 overs), Suyash Sharma 1/ 47 ( 4 overs), Liam Livingstone 0/ 14 ( 2 overs)
In reply RCB were off to a blazing start with openers Phil Salt and Virat Kohli . KKR bowlers had no clue . The duo blasted 95 for the first wicket in only 8.3 overs to set the platform for an easy win . Salt was the fist to fall for a blistering 56 ( 31 balls, 9 fours, 2 sixes) . Rubbing salt into KKr wounds he played for KKR last year when they lifted the title. Devdutt Padikkal was out for ( 10). Skipper Rajat Patidar too showed aggressive intent scoring 34 ( 16 balls , 5 fours, 1 six).
Phil Salt peppered KKR with aggressive 56(31) 💫
🔽 Watch | #KKRvRCB | @RCBTweets
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) March 22, 2025
RCB were in total command with the chase master Virat Kohli showed his class and remained unbeaten with a stylish 59 ( 36 balls 4 fours, 3 sixes) and with Englishman Liam Livingstone who remained not out 15 ( 5 balls, 2 fours, 1 six), RCB romped home by 7 wickets with 22 balls to spare reaching 177/ 3 in 16. 2 overs.
KKR bowling : Vaibhav Arora 1/ 42 ( 3 overs) , Spencer Johnson 0/ 31 ( 2. 2 overs), Varun Chakaravarthy had an off day 1/ 43 ( 4 overs), Harshit Rana 0/ 32 ( 3 overs), Sunil Narine 1/ 27 ( 4 overs)
Match: IPL 2025, 1st Match
Venue: Kolkata | Date: March 22, 2025
