The highly anticipated IPL 2025 is set to kick off on March 22 at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata, where the defending champions, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), will face off against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at 7:30 PM IST. This thrilling opening clash promises to set the tone for another electrifying season of the Indian Premier League.
Leading KKR will be the experienced Ajinkya Rahane, while Rajat Patidar takes charge of the RCB squad. RCB’s lineup is a powerhouse, featuring the likes of Virat Kohli, Liam Livingstone, and Philip Salt. Meanwhile, KKR boasts international stars Quinton de Kock, Andre Russell, and Moeen Ali, making it a well-balanced and dynamic side.
Historically, KKR has had the upper hand over RCB, winning 20 of their 34 encounters, while RCB has secured 14 victories. However, with fresh strategies, new faces, and the pressure of a season opener, anything can happen on the day. Both teams will be eager to start their campaigns with a strong performance and gain early momentum.
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Fans can expect a thrilling contest between KKR’s experienced players and RCB’s dynamic stars. With the atmosphere of Eden Gardens buzzing and cricket fever peaking, the IPL 2025 opener promises to be a memorable clash.
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
Anrich Nortje’s return from a back injury adds intrigue to the upcoming IPL 2025 clash. After missing the SA20 and the Champions Trophy, questions remain about his match readiness, especially after rain washed out practice sessions for both teams. While his pace can be lethal, his IPL record outside the UAE has been less impressive. The bigger question is whether there’s even a spot for him in the playing XI. With Spencer Johnson offering a left-arm angle and more variety, Nortje may find himself on the sidelines.
KKR, meanwhile, faces a different challenge. Last season, Mitchell Starc’s presence allowed them to save Varun Chakaravarthy for the middle overs, bowling just four PowerPlay overs compared to 16 in 2023. Without Starc and lacking experienced seamers for early breakthroughs, KKR might need to rely on frontloading their spinners again. It could be a risky strategy, especially against an RCB lineup that has a mixed record against spin.
Probable XII: Sunil Narine, Quinton de Kock (wk), Ajinkya Rahane (c), Venkatesh Iyer, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Ramandeep Singh, Spencer Johnson, Vaibhav Arora, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
Fitness concerns also loom over Josh Hazlewood and Jacob Bethell, but early reports from practice are positive. Hazlewood managed a short but rhythmical spell, and head coach Andy Flower sounded optimistic about his inclusion. If Hazlewood is fit to play, his ability to strike early will be crucial.
RCB’s batters have mixed results against spin. While Rajat Patidar and Jitesh Sharma can accelerate, Virat Kohli has historically struggled against Sunil Narine, striking at just 103 and falling to him four times. How Kohli navigates Narine’s threat could be a decisive factor.
Probable XII: Phil Salt, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (c), Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal, Suyash Sharma/Rasikh Dar Salam
Fantasy XI Suggestion 1:
Philip Salt (vc), Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Venkatesh Iyer, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell (c), Liam Livingstone, Varun Chakravarthy, Josh Hazlewood, Anrich Nortje, Harshit Rana
Fantasy XI Suggestion 2:
Philip Salt, Quinton de Kock (c), Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Ajinkya Rahane, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Liam Livingstone, Varun Chakravarthy, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harshit Rana (vc)
