BIFF Cricket: Full Match Report: KKR vs RCB, IPL 2025, Match 1
Highlights
Eden Gardens, Kolkata | March 22, 2025
Result: Royal Challengers Bengaluru won by 7 wickets (with 22 balls remaining)
Player of the Match: Krunal Pandya (RCB) – 3/29
Match Overview
The 18th edition of the Indian Premier League kicked off with a blockbuster clash at the iconic Eden Gardens, where defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), led by new captain Ajinkya Rahane, took on Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), under the stewardship of Rajat Patidar.
In a match that promised fireworks, it was RCB who stole the show, dismantling KKR’s title defense aspirations with a clinical 7-wicket victory, chasing down 175 with 22 balls to spare.
Virat Kohli and Phil Salt’s explosive batting, coupled with Krunal Pandya’s game-changing spell, ensured RCB started their IPL 2025 campaign on a high.
Toss and Conditions
RCB captain Rajat Patidar won the toss and elected to bowl first, a decision influenced by the dew factor expected later in the evening and Eden Gardens’ reputation as a chasing ground (55 out of 93 IPL matches here have been won by the team batting second).
The pitch was a typical Kolkata belter—flat with even bounce—ideal for strokeplay, though spinners were expected to come into play as the game progressed.
The weather, despite an earlier orange alert for rain, cleared up beautifully, setting the stage for an uninterrupted season opener.
KKR Innings: Rahane Shines, but RCB Fight Back
KKR’s innings began with a jolt as Quinton de Kock (4) edged Josh Hazlewood to Jitesh Sharma in the first over.
However, captain Ajinkya Rahane (56 off 31 balls, 5×4, 2×6) and Sunil Narine (44 off 26 balls, 4×4, 2×6) steadied the ship with a scintillating 103-run partnership for the second wicket.
Rahane, in his debut as KKR skipper, looked in sublime touch, lofting cover drives and flicking with finesse, while Narine unleashed his trademark carnage, including a monstrous six off Yash Dayal. At 107/2 after 10 overs, KKR seemed poised to breach the 200-run mark.
The tide turned dramatically in the middle overs, thanks to RCB’s bowling resurgence.
Krunal Pandya (3/29) emerged as the wrecker-in-chief, dismissing Narine with a cleverly disguised slower ball and later removing Venkatesh Iyer (12) and Andre Russell (8) in quick succession.
Josh Hazlewood (2/22) complemented Krunal with a double strike, sending back Rinku Singh (15) and Ramandeep Singh (6), while Suyash Sharma’s tight lines stifled the scoring rate.
From 151/4 in 15 overs, KKR slumped to 174/8, losing 6 wickets for just 23 runs in the final four overs—a collapse that left the Eden Gardens crowd stunned.
KKR Total: 174/8 in 20 overs
Key Performers: Ajinkya Rahane 56 (31), Sunil Narine 44 (26)
Bowling Highlights: Krunal Pandya 3/29, Josh Hazlewood 2/22
RCB Chase: Salt and Kohli Steal the Show
Chasing 175, RCB’s new opening pair of Phil Salt and Virat Kohli turned the game into a one-sided affair. Salt (56 off 31 balls, 9×4, 2×6), the former KKR star now donning RCB colors, was ruthless from the outset, smashing Spencer Johnson for consecutive boundaries and looting 21 runs off Varun Chakaravarthy in a single over. Kohli (59* off 36 balls, 4×4, 3×6), playing his 18th IPL season, was equally devastating, welcoming Johnson with back-to-back sixes and anchoring the chase with his trademark composure.
The duo stitched a 95-run stand in just 8.3 overs, effectively killing the contest before the halfway mark. Salt fell to Vaibhav Arora, caught at deep midwicket, but Kohli pressed on, reaching his fifty with a lofted cover drive. Rajat Patidar (34 off 16 balls, 5×4, 1×6) provided the perfect cameo, lofting Harshit Rana over fine leg with surgical precision, while Liam Livingstone (15* off 7 balls) finished the job with a hooked six over the RCB dugout. RCB cruised to 177/3 in 16.2 overs, wrapping up an emphatic victory with 22 balls remaining.
RCB Total: 177/3 in 16.2 overs (Target: 175)
Key Performers: Virat Kohli 59 (36), Phil Salt 56 (31), Rajat Patidar 34 (16)*
Bowling Struggles: Varun Chakaravarthy 0/37, Spencer Johnson 0/31
Key Moments
- Rahane-Narine Blitz: The 103-run stand in 9 overs set KKR up for a massive total, only for their collapse to undo the early dominance.
- Krunal’s Turning Point: Pandya’s 11th over (2 wickets, 5 runs) triggered KKR’s downfall, earning him the Player of the Match award.
- Salt-Kohli Powerplay: RCB’s 80/0 in 6 overs—their second-highest powerplay score in IPL history—put KKR on the back foot early in the chase.
- Kohli’s Milestone: The unbeaten 59 marked Kohli’s 400th T20 match, a testament to his enduring brilliance.
Analysis
For KKR, the loss exposed vulnerabilities in their middle order and bowling attack. Rahane’s leadership showed promise, but the lack of intent from the likes of Russell and Rinku after the openers’ departure was glaring. Varun Chakaravarthy, a key figure in their 2024 title win, was taken apart, raising questions about their spin department’s potency on a flat track.
RCB, meanwhile, showcased a blueprint for success: a fiery opening burst, disciplined middle-over bowling, and a chase executed with surgical precision. Krunal Pandya’s evolution into a match-winner with the ball, alongside Hazlewood’s pace, gives them a balanced attack, while Salt’s aggression complements Kohli’s consistency at the top. If this performance is a sign of things to come, RCB might finally shed their “nearly men” tag in IPL 2025.
Post-Match Reactions
- Ajinkya Rahane (KKR Captain): “We got a good start, but losing wickets in clusters hurt us. Credit to RCB—they bowled well and chased brilliantly. We’ll regroup and come back stronger.”
- Rajat Patidar (RCB Captain): “A great start to the season. Krunal was outstanding, and Virat and Phil set the tone. We just stuck to our plans and executed perfectly.”
- Krunal Pandya (Player of the Match): “The Eden crowd is tough to bowl against, but I focused on my lengths and variations. Happy to contribute to a big win.”
BIFF Cricket Verdict
RCB sent a loud message in the IPL 2025 opener: they’re here to compete, and they mean business. For KKR, it’s back to the drawing board after a rusty start to their title defense. With 73 matches to go, the tournament is wide open—but on this evidence, RCB look like early frontrunners.
Next Up:
- KKR travel to Guwahati to face Rajasthan Royals on March 26.
- RCB take on Chennai Super Kings in a blockbuster clash on March 28.
Stay tuned to BIFF Cricket for all the latest IPL 2025 action!
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