As the IPL 2025 league stage enters its final stretch, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are set to lock horns with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in a crucial encounter on May 17 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. With playoff spots up for grabs, both teams have everything to play for.
RCB come into this clash in strong form, sitting comfortably at second on the points table with eight wins from eleven matches. Their latest victory, a tense 2-run win over Chennai Super Kings, was anchored by a masterful 62 from Virat Kohli — a knock that underlined his calm under pressure.
KKR, on the other hand, find themselves in a more desperate situation. With just five wins in twelve games, they are currently sixth and must win their remaining matches to keep playoff hopes alive. Despite a valiant 48 from Ajinkya Rahane in their last match, they fell short against CSK by two wickets.
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Historically, though, KKR have had the upper hand over RCB, winning 21 of their 35 meetings. The weather could play a role, with thunderstorms expected on Saturday evening. However, the ground’s excellent drainage means a game—even if rain-curtailed — is still very much on the cards.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
Rajat Patidar looks set to return for RCB’s upcoming clash, having batted across two days in the build-up. RCB’s Director of Cricket, Mo Bobat, confirmed that the mid-season break allowed Patidar’s hand injury, sustained against CSK, to heal well. Phil Salt also came through extended net sessions after recovering from an illness that had sidelined him for two matches.
The only absentee for RCB is Josh Hazlewood, who remains in Australia recovering from a lingering shoulder niggle.
Probable XII: Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, Jacob Bethell/Mayank Agarawal, Rajat Patidar (c), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Rasikh Salam/Lungi Ngidi, Yash Dayal, Suyash Sharma
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
As for KKR, Moeen Ali and Rovman Powell have not rejoined the squad. Anukul Roy may step in, especially with RCB’s right-handed top order. In the middle, the choice between Manish Pandey and Venkatesh Iyer remains open, with both training hard on Friday.
Probable XII: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Sunil Narine, Ajinkya Rahane (c), Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Manish Pandey/Venkatesh Iyer, Andre Russell, Rinku Singh, Ramandeep Singh, Anukul Roy, Vaibhav Arora, Varun CV, Harshit Rana
Fantasy XI Suggestion 1:
Jitesh Sharma, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Virat Kohli (c), Ajinkya Rahane, Rajat Patidar, Sunil Narine (vc), Andre Russell, Krunal Pandya, Romario Shepherd, Varun Chakravarthy, Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Fantasy XI Suggestion 2:
Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane (c), Rajat Patidar, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Krunal Pandya (vc), Romario Shepherd, Varun Chakravarthy, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harshit Rana
