RCB started their IPL 2025 campaign with a dominant 7-wicket win over defending champions KKR, who fell short despite a strong start with the bat.
In the first match of the IPL 2025 season, Rajat Patidar won his first toss as Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain and opted to bowl against defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders, led by new skipper Ajinkya Rahane. The opener started with high drama as the first over saw a boundary, a dropped catch, and Quinton de Kock’s dismissal by Josh Hazlewood.
Rahane led from the front with a rapid 25-ball half-century, supported by Sunil Narine’s aggressive stroke play. KKR reached 60/1 at the end of the powerplay, but their momentum slowed in the middle overs. RCB’s spin duo, Krunal Pandya and Suyash Sharma, tightened control, dismissing Rinku Singh and Andre Russell.
Krunal removed Venkatesh Iyer before Rahane and Narine finally departed after boosting KKR’s innings with explosive hitting. Despite a strong start, KKR struggled to accelerate late and finished at 174/8 in 20 overs as Bengaluru’s bowlers applied pressure in the death overs.
In response, Royal Challengers Bengaluru made full use of their bowling momentum. Phil Salt, playing his first match for Bengaluru, wasted no time in making an impact. He attacked from the start, while Virat Kohli capitalized on every scoring opportunity. Their aggressive partnership powered RCB to 80/0 at the end of the powerplay.
With dew making bowling difficult, Salt reached his half-century in 25 balls, keeping RCB firmly in control. KKR struggled to break the partnership as Salt and Kohli rotated the strike efficiently while finding boundaries. Patidar chipped in with a quick 34 in just 16 balls. Kohli scored a 30-ball fifty, and RCB had already chased down more than half the target before losing wickets. Maintaining their grip on the game, RCB comfortably secured a seven-wicket win to start their IPL 2025 campaign.
A punjabi munda equipped with ‘Salt’ and knows how to ‘cook’. Deadly combo. Well played @RCBTweets 👏🏻 #KKRvRCB #IPL2025 pic.twitter.com/XDyt7Z1oF5
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) March 22, 2025
@krunalpandya24 should be Man of the match . Who do u think will be man of the match ?
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) March 22, 2025
RCB is in my top 4 specially cos they have got their bowling right. Hope they capitalise in the start they got in the first match. Brilliant start to this Year’s wish of E SALA CUP NAMDE 👏
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) March 22, 2025
Big win for @RCBTweets well bowled @krunalpandya24 well played @imVkohli Top class . Phil Salt was too good upfront #philsalt #ViratKohli𓃵 #RCBvKKR @IPL
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) March 22, 2025
Saying it again—There’s merit in having a bonus point in the #TataIPL
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) March 22, 2025
Brilliant start from Virat Kohli. Outstanding display of batting.
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) March 22, 2025
RCB is in complete control here. They should focus on improving their net run rate because, over 14 games, these are the moments that can give them an edge. You don’t want to miss out on that.
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) March 22, 2025
