RCB vs KKR IPL 2025 Match 01: Thrilling Season Opener on Mar 22

The much-awaited IPL 2025 is finally here, and the opening match, RCB vs KKR, on Mar 22, 2025, promises to be a thrilling start to the new season. As both teams prepare to take the field at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, the excitement surrounding this match is palpable. With key players, fresh leadership changes, and the intensity of an IPL T20 season opener, the stakes are high. In this article, we dive into everything you need to know about this exciting face-off.

Match Summary: KKR vs RCB – IPL 2025 Match 1

Result: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) won by 7 wickets
Toss: RCB won the toss and elected to field first

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) Innings: 174/8 (20.0 overs)

• Ajinkya Rahane – 56 (31) | 6 fours, 4 sixes
• Sunil Narine – 44 (26) | 5 fours, 3 sixes
• Angkrish Raghuvanshi – 30 (22) | 2 fours, 1 six
• Krunal Pandya (RCB) – Best bowler | 3/28 (4 overs)

Fall of Wickets: 1-4 (de Kock), 2-107 (Narine), 3-109 (Rahane), 4-125 (Venkatesh), 5-145 (Rinku), 6-150 (Russell), 7-168 (Raghuvanshi), 8-173 (Harshit)

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) Innings: 177/3 (16.2 overs)

• Virat Kohli – Not out 59 (36) | 4 fours, 3 sixes
• Phil Salt – 56 (31) | 9 fours, 2 sixes
• Rajat Patidar – 34 (16) | 5 fours, 1 six

Fall of Wickets: 1-95 (Salt), 2-118 (Padikkal), 3-162 (Patidar)

Winning Shot: Liam Livingstone smashed a six to finish the game in style!

Key Highlights:

✅ Krunal Pandya’s all-round impact (3 wickets)
✅ Virat Kohli’s match-winning knock
✅ Phil Salt’s explosive start

Player of the Match: Krunal Pandya

Team Overview: RCB and KKR in IPL 2025

RCB: A New Beginning Under Rajat Patidar

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) is ready for a fresh start this season with Rajat Patidar taking over as the new captain. This shift in leadership, after the departure of Faf du Plessis, is expected to bring a new vibe to the team. With Virat Kohli leading the charge in the batting department and the addition of exciting players like Phil Salt, RCB looks formidable. They will be looking to make their mark right from Match 01 and set the tone for the season.

Expected Playing XI

1. Virat Kohli – Top-order batter​
2. Phil Salt – Wicketkeeper-batter
3. Rajat Patidar (C) – Top-order batter
4. Krunal Pandya – All-rounder​
5. Jitesh Sharma (WK) – Wicketkeeper-batter​
6. Liam Livingstone – All-rounder
7. Tim David – Batter​
8. Bhuvneshwar Kumar – Bowler​
9. Yash Dayal – Bowler​
10. Josh Hazlewood – Bowler
11. Suyash Sharma – Bowler

​Impact Players

• Devdutt Padikkal – Batter​
• Swastik Chikara – Batter​
• Manoj Bhandage – All-rounder​

​Full Squad​

• Virat Kohli – Batter
• Josh Hazlewood – Bowler
• Phil Salt – Batter
• Rajat Patidar – Batter
• Jitesh Sharma – Batter
• Bhuvneshwar Kumar – Bowler
• Liam Livingstone – All-rounder
• Rasikh Salam – Bowler
• Krunal Pandya – All-rounder
• Yash Dayal – Bowler
• Tim David – All-rounder
• Suyash Sharma – Bowler
• Jacob Bethell – All-rounder
• Devdutt Padikkal – Batter
• Nuwan Thushara – Bowler
• Romario Shepherd – All-rounder
• Lungi Ngidi – Bowler
• Swapnil Singh – All-rounder
• Abhinandan Singh – Bowler
• Swastik Chikara – Batter
• Mohit Rathee – Bowler
• Manoj Bhandage – Batter

KKR: Defending Champions with a New Captain

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), on the other hand, will be entering this season with a new captain as well—Ajinkya Rahane, who steps in to replace Shreyas Iyer. With a mix of seasoned campaigners like Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, and Venkatesh Iyer, KKR is undoubtedly one of the teams to watch out for. As defending champions, they will be eager to defend their title and showcase their winning strategy in this IPL T20 opener.

Expected Playing XI

1. Ajinkya Rahane (C) – Top-order batter
2. Venkatesh Iyer (VC) – All-rounder
3. Rahmanullah Gurbaz – Wicketkeeper-batter
4. Rinku Singh – Middle-order batter
5. Quinton de Kock – Wicketkeeper-batter
6. Andre Russell – All-rounder
7. Moeen Ali – All-rounder
8. Sunil Narine – Bowler
9. Anrich Nortje – Bowler
10. Varun Chakravarthy – Bowler
11. Spencer Johnson – Bowler

​Impact Players

• Anukul Roy – All-rounder
• Ramandeep Singh – All-rounder​
• Andre Russell – All-rounder​

​Full Squad​

• Venkatesh Iyer – All-rounder (VC)
• Rinku Singh – Batter
• Varun Chakravarthy – All-rounder
• Andre Russell – All-rounder
• Sunil Narine – Bowler
• Anrich Nortje – Bowler
• Harshit Rana – Bowler
• Ramandeep Singh – All-rounder
• Quinton de Kock – Wicketkeeper-batter
• Angkrish Raghuvanshi – Batter
• Spencer Johnson – Bowler
• Rahmanullah Gurbaz – Wicketkeeper-batter
• Moeen Ali – All-rounder
• Vaibhav Arora – Bowler
• Rovman Powell – Batter
• Ajinkya Rahane – Batter (Captain)
• Umran Malik – Bowler
• Manish Pandey – Batter
• Anukul Roy – All-rounder
• Luvnith Sisodia – Batter
• Mayank Markande – Bowler

RCB vs KKR: Head-to-Head Battle

When it comes to RCB vs KKR, both teams have a rich history of competitive clashes. Over the years, they’ve played some high-stakes matches that have delivered plenty of drama. In IPL 2025, both sides will look to start fresh, but their previous encounters will surely fuel the intensity of the contest. With their star players firing on all cylinders, expect fireworks right from the first ball.

Here is the all-time head-to-head results between Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the IPL:

• Total Matches Played: 38
• RCB Wins: 14
• KKR Wins: 24

So, KKR leads the head-to-head with 24 wins, while RCB has won 14 matches.

Eden Gardens: A Classic Venue for IPL 2025

The venue for this IPL 2025 opener, Eden Gardens in Kolkata, holds special significance for both teams. Known for its passionate crowd and electrifying atmosphere, it is a stadium that can turn the tide of any game. The pitch at Eden Gardens generally favors both batters and bowlers, setting the stage for a well-rounded contest.

​As of March 22, 2025, the weather in Kolkata is a mix of cloudy conditions with a high of 86°F (30°C) and a low of 68°F (20°C).

On the eve of the match, persistent rain led to the covering of Eden Gardens, raising concerns about the upcoming IPL 2025 opener between KKR and RCB.

The India Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert for March 22, predicting thunderstorms and gusty winds (40-60 km/h) over parts of Kolkata.

However, as the match approaches, the sun has begun to shine, offering hope that the game may proceed as scheduled.

Given the unpredictable nature of Kolkata’s weather during this period, it’s advisable to stay updated with the latest forecasts and official announcements regarding the match.​

What to Expect from the IPL 2025 Opener: RCB vs KKR

As the IPL 2025 season kicks off, RCB vs KKR on Mar 22 will be a spectacle not to be missed. The game will feature explosive batting, smart bowling, and intense fielding efforts. Both teams will be looking to make a statement right away and claim the early advantage in the season.

Whether it’s RCB‘s star-studded batting lineup or KKR‘s dynamic all-rounders, this match promises to offer something for everyone. Fans can expect to see some thrilling moments, including last-minute finishes, big sixes, and sharp bowling spells that could change the course of the game.

Best Dream11 Pick for RCB vs KKR Match 01 (Mar 22, 2025)

Captain

• Virat Kohli (RCB) – Kohli is one of the most consistent performers in IPL history. He’s in great form, especially as an opening batter, making him a safe choice for captain.

Vice-Captain

• Andre Russell (KKR) – Russell brings explosive all-round ability to the table. He can deliver big hits with the bat and be a game-changer with the ball, making him an excellent vice-captain choice.

Dream11 Playing XI Picks

1. Virat Kohli (RCB) – Top-order batter (Captain)
2. Andre Russell (KKR) – All-rounder (Vice-captain)
3. Devdutt Padikkal (RCB) – Top-order batter
4. Venkatesh Iyer (KKR) – All-rounder
5. Krunal Pandya (RCB) – All-rounder
6. Rahmanullah Gurbaz (KKR) – Wicketkeeper-batter
7. Rinku Singh (KKR) – Middle-order batter
8. Josh Hazlewood (RCB) – Bowler
9. Sunil Narine (KKR) – Bowler (and an all-rounder)
10. Yash Dayal (RCB) – Bowler
11. Tim David (RCB) – All-rounder (batting depth)

Top Players to Watch

• Virat Kohli (RCB) – He’s a match-winner and a reliable top-order batter.
• Andre Russell (KKR) – With his explosive batting and bowling, he can turn the game in an instant.
• Sunil Narine (KKR) – As a versatile spinner and key all-rounder, Narine could be crucial in both restricting runs and picking up wickets.
• Josh Hazlewood (RCB) – A leading bowler who can provide crucial breakthroughs in the powerplay and middle overs.

Tips for Dream11 Team

• Make sure to balance your team with batsmen at the top and all-rounders who can contribute with both bat and ball.
• Players like Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, and Krunal Pandya give you the flexibility to get points in multiple departments.
• Check the pitch report and weather updates before finalizing your team, as this can have a big impact on the conditions and the players’ performances.

This combination of players will give you a well-balanced Dream11 team to take on the RCB vs KKR match in IPL 2025!

Good luck with your Dream11 team for RCB vs KKR IPL 2025!

Conclusion: IPL 2025 Match 01 – The Excitement Begins

The stage is set for RCB vs KKR in IPL 2025 as the two teams go head-to-head in the season opener on Mar 22. With both squads brimming with talent and eager to make their mark, this match is sure to be a thrilling start to the IPL T20 season. Stay tuned as the action unfolds at Eden Gardens!