In the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season opener, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) defeated the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at home.
In the first match, which took place at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, RCB easily crossed the finish line as they chased 175 runs, with the opening duo scoring the majority of the goal.
Earlier in the match, the Rajat Patidar-led team accurately called the toss and put the reigning champions in to bat first. The Bengaluru team benefited greatly from the choice since, in spite of a terrible start, RCB recovered admirably and claimed a number of wickets in the middle overs. Krunal Pandya outperformed the KKR batsmen, taking out three key members of Kolkata’s lineup.
Talking Points
1. Kolkata finds Krunal too harsh.
After conceding fifteen runs in his opening over, the left-arm spinner had a nightmare start. But as the powerplay ended, he was reintroduced into the attack, and his first casualty of the evening was captain Ajinkya Rahane. Pandya finished with amazing statistics of 4-0-29-3 after clean bowling dangerous batsmen Venkatesh Iyer and Rinku Singh. He was also named Player of the Match for this performance because the Bengaluru-based team won the game handily during his second stint.
2. Virat running and salt-peppering
Virat Kohli and Phil Salt, the opening pair, wrecked havoc in the powerplay overs, thus the RCB batsmen never seemed to have any trouble chasing. During the field limitations, 80 runs were scored in the first six overs with a flurry of boundaries and no wickets lost. While Kohli was at his peak, scoring 59 from 36, including four boundaries and three maximums, Salt struck 56 off just 31 balls. Varun Chakravarthy broke their 95-run partnership.
3. RaPa assumes final responsibility.
After the openers’ platform, Rajat Patidar, the recently named captain, was ecstatic. A really, really enormous sixer off Patidar’s blade followed five magnificent boundaries across the Eden. The captain left after 34 off just 16 balls, but the star batsman was unable to stay till the very end. With 22 balls remaining, RCB could chase the target following Patidar’s finishing touch to kick off the 2025 campaign.
Who Said What?
Rajat Patidar, RCB Captain, said
There was pressure, of course, but it was a good day for me. Hope for more such days. (Bringing back Suyash for the fourth over) It was clear we wanted Russell’s wicket, him conceding runs didn’t matter. He is our strike bowler, we backed him. All credit goes to Krunal and Suyash, they were 130 off, the bowlers showed courage and determination. Feels great to captain Kohli, he supports a lot, great opportunity to learn from one of the best. (On the shot on 14.6) It was a pre-determined shot, I wanted to go over cover.
Ajinkya Rahane, KKR Captain, said
We went well till the 13th over, 2–3 wickets changed momentum. We have to learn from our mistakes. We thought 210-220 was par when Venky (Iyer) and I were batting, but we lost wickets. There was dew, but they had a very good powerplay. We couldn’t get early wickets. We don’t want to think too much about this game, just want to improve as a unit.
Krunal Pandya, Player of the Match, said
I just wanted to narrow down my focus upon returning in the 11th over. Glad I was able to deliver. You have to go with the flow, right now batters can hit sixes consistently, so you have to find ways to up your game. So, I wanted to bowl quick, changes of pace were useful too. Jitesh knows I can do anything, bowl a wide yorker or bouncer, so he’s aware. You have to use what you have in your arsenal. Once I got into the team, I got to know about the madness. Even when I was playing domestic cricket in Bangalore, there were RCB chants. It’s been a great feeling in the last ten days with the team.
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