RCB Face KKR in IPL Opener After 17 Years, Win a Match Against Them After 2 Seasons
The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 has finally kicked off, and what a thrilling opener we have witnessed! The defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) took on the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the first match of the season, and it was a nail-biting contest that saw RCB emerge victorious by 7 wickets. This is the first time in 17 years that a KKR-RCB match has opened an IPL season, and it was a memorable one for the Bangalore-based team.
The match took place at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, the home ground of KKR, and the crowd was electric. The defending champions won the toss and elected to bat first, hoping to post a big total on the board. However, their plans were slightly derailed by a late collapse, which saw them being restricted to 174/8 in their 20 overs.
Captain Ajinkya Rahane was the top scorer for KKR, hitting a 31-ball 56, which included 7 fours and a six. He was well-supported by Nitish Rana, who scored 24 off 18 balls. However, the rest of the batsmen failed to capitalize on the good start, and KKR were unable to build a big partnership.
In response, RCB chased down the target with ease, thanks to a brilliant batting display by their captain Virat Kohli. Kohli top-scored with 59* off 36 balls, which included 5 fours and 2 sixes. He was well-supported by Glenn Maxwell, who scored 25 off 15 balls.
The chase was not without its hiccups, though. RCB lost their first wicket in the fourth over, when Devdutt Padikkal was dismissed for 14. However, Kohli and Maxwell steadied the ship, and their partnership saw RCB reach the 100-run mark in just 10 overs.
After Maxwell’s dismissal, Kohli continued to bat aggressively, and with the help of Dinesh Karthik, who scored 17 off 11 balls, RCB reached the target with 16.2 overs to spare.
This win marks a significant turnaround for RCB, who have struggled in the recent past. They have beaten KKR for the first time since IPL 2022, and this win will give them a much-needed boost heading into the rest of the tournament.
For KKR, this loss will be a setback, especially since they were expected to make a strong start to the season. However, they will take heart from Rahane’s impressive batting display, and will look to bounce back in their next match.
Overall, this was an entertaining opener to the IPL 2025, and it sets the tone for what promises to be an exciting season. Both teams will look to build on this performance and make a strong push for the playoffs.
Match Scorecard
Kolkata Knight Riders (174/8 in 20 overs)
Ajinkya Rahane 56 (31), Nitish Rana 24 (18)
Royal Challengers Bangalore (178/3 in 16.2 overs)
Virat Kohli 59* (36), Glenn Maxwell 25 (15)
Result
Royal Challengers Bangalore won by 7 wickets
