KKR vs RCB Highlights, IPL 2025: Virat Kohli shines as RCB crush KKR by 7 wickets in season opener
THE TIMES OF INDIA | Apr 24, 2025, 18:18:03 IST
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KKR vs RCB Highlights, IPL 2025: Virat Kohli shines as RCB crush KKR by 7 wickets in season opener

Kolkata Knight Riders vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru, IPL Live Score 2025: Virat Kohli and Phil Salt starred with the bat as Royal Challengers Bengaluru cruised to a seven-wicket victory over defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL 2025 opener at Eden Gardens on Saturday.

Chasing 175, Kohli (59* off 36, 4x4, 3x6) and Salt (56 off 31, 9x4, 2x6) put on a blazing 95-run partnership for the opening wicket in just 8.3 overs, setting up a commanding win. RCB comfortably reached 177/3 in just 16.2 overs.

Earlier, KKR skipper Ajinkya Rahane led from the front with a classy 56, forging a crucial 103-run partnership with Sunil Narine (44 off 26) as KKR seemed poised to breach the 200-run mark. However, RCB’s bowlers staged a brilliant comeback, led by left-arm spinner Krunal Pandya (3/29) and pacer Josh Hazlewood, who picked up two wickets.

RCB's disciplined bowling in the latter half restricted KKR to 174/8, a total that proved inadequate against Kohli and Salt's aggressive approach. Kohli’s composed innings and Salt’s fiery knock ensured a perfect start to the tournament for RCB, while KKR will look to regroup after a disappointing defense of their title.
19:16 (IST) Mar 22
KKR vs RCB Live Score: TOSS TIME!
RCB skipper Rajat Patidar wins the toss, opts to bowl against KKR at Eden Gardens
18:57 (IST) Mar 22

The bold generation is coming up very strongly, the old generation is still here trying to create more memories.

Virat Kohli during the opening ceremony

18:57 (IST) Mar 22
IPL Live Score: SRK shares stage with Kohli and Rinku
SRK refers to Rinku Singh as generation bold, and Virat Kohli as generation gold and himself as generation that never gets old.
18:33 (IST) Mar 22
IPL Live Score: Glimpse from the opening ceremony at Eden Gardens
18:29 (IST) Mar 22
KKR vs RCB Live Score: Kohli leads the way ...
KKR vs RCB Live Score: Kohli leads the way ...

As the 2025 IPL season kicks off, all eyes will be on Virat Kohli as he gears up for his 400th T20 match. The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) superstar continues to rewrite history as the only batter to surpass the 8000-run milestone in the Indian Premier League.

Kohli, known for his consistency and passion, has been a cornerstone of RCB's batting lineup since the tournament's inception. As he takes the field against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) today, he stands just 38 runs away from joining an elite club of batters who have scored 1000 runs against the defending champions. Only David Warner (1093) and Rohit Sharma (1070) have achieved this remarkable feat against KKR.

18:20 (IST) Mar 22
Another season in the sultry Indian summer. Another round of a cocktail of cricket and entertainment, with its unique spicy garnish. Another edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), which has redefined the game in less than two decades of its existence. Even as its original founder Lalit Modi grapples with uncertainties over his nationality, the IPL has firmly shown that it is here to stay.

On Saturday, the T20 tournament starts yet another two-month journey of breathless excitement. Plenty of runs, cheerleaders dancing to blaring music, some nail-biting late finishes, maybe some rain. Defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders take on perennial pretenders Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the opening match at the Eden Gardens, with the inaugural ceremony peppered with some Bollywood-style frolic, weather permitting.
18:18 (IST) Mar 22
KKR vs RCB Live Score: Numbers Game
KKR vs RCB Live Score: Numbers Game
18:08 (IST) Mar 22
IPL Live Score: Today's opening ceremony itinerary
IPL Live Score: Today's opening ceremony itinerary

This is the official order of programming for the IPL opening ceremony.

17:55 (IST) Mar 22
KKR vs RCB Live Score: The kickoff is on time!
With the improved weather forecast, the match and the opening ceremony at the Eden Gardens will start on time.

The opening ceremony is scheduled to start from 6:15 pm IST, followed by the toss at 7 pm. The match will start on time at 7:30 pm IST.
17:44 (IST) Mar 22
Poll
IPL Live Score: With cloud cover at Eden, what should the team do after winning the toss today?
17:36 (IST) Mar 22
Rajat Patidar will be happy to be back at the Eden Gardens. It was here, back in 2022, that Patidar’s cricketing career changed overnight. In a squad having players like Faf du Plessis, Virat Kohli and Glenn Maxwell, it was Patidar who stood tall that night against Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL Eliminator.

Coming in to bat at No. 3, Patidar got his first T20 century as he set the Eden stands on fire, hitting 12 fours and seven sixes to remain unbeaten on 112 off 54 balls. That incidentally remains the highest IPL score at this venue.

On Saturday, he will be arriving in a new avatar, donning the captain’s hat for the first time for a franchise. With RCB yet to win the trophy, there will be pressure on him. But adjusting to situations is all that counts in a fast-paced tournament like the IPL.

Patidar has matured as a skipper, leading Madhya Pradesh to the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 final last season and ending up as the second-highest run-getter in the tournament.
17:22 (IST) Mar 22
IPL Live Score: KKR vs RCB - How the teams stack up

The defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders host Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the opening match of the 2025 Indian Premier League season on Saturday at the Eden Gardens.

Here's a look at how the two teams shape up for the opening face-off

17:13 (IST) Mar 22
This Indian Premier League (IPL) will be the final mega audition of players for next year’s T20 World Cup to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.

India’s T20 team has sustained its dominance since the T20 World Cup triumph in June last year, but it hasn’t been India’s first-choice squad, with formats overlapping and selectors preserving senior players for Test matches.

It has created an awkward situation for the selectors. For instance, Rishabh Pant will have to fight for his wicketkeeping spot with Sanju Samson coming good in two out of four T20I series after the T20 World Cup. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill, who were long considered as Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s successors at the top of the order, will have to do a lot more to displace Abhishek Sharma and Samson. KL Rahul, after being dropped for the last T20 World Cup, too will look to re-establish himself.
16:59 (IST) Mar 22
IPL Live Score: KKR lead head-to-head stats
IPL Live Score: KKR lead head-to-head stats

The IPL 2025 opener between Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bangalore at Eden Gardens rekindles an iconic rivalry. The legendary Brendon McCullum innings of 158 in the inaugural IPL match set the stage for KKR's legacy. Since then, KKR has secured three titles, while RCB remains in search of their elusive first trophy.

Led by Ajinkya Rahane, KKR aims to defy history by maintaining form after a championship win. Spin will be crucial on Eden’s surface, with Varun Chakravarthy and Sunil Narine leading KKR’s bowling attack. For RCB, Virat Kohli’s form and the new partnership with Phil Salt at the top will be key. The absence of Mohammed Siraj leaves a gap in RCB’s bowling, putting pressure on veterans Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood. With rain threatening the match, both teams will hope for a dry spell to kick-start their campaign on a high note.

16:44 (IST) Mar 22
KKR vs RCB Live Score: New rules and innovations
The 18th Indian Premier League (IPL) kicks off with defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) facing Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) amid rain threats.

This season introduces several new rules and innovations. Notably, the ban on using saliva to shine the ball, implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic, has been lifted. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) made the decision after receiving a majority consensus from IPL captains. While the International Cricket Council (ICC) made the saliva ban permanent in 2022, the IPL follows its own regulations.

Another major rule change aims to counter the impact of dew. During evening matches, umpires can introduce a fresh ball from the 11th over if the dew significantly affects play. This rule, however, will not apply to afternoon games.

Additionally, the Decision Review System (DRS) has been expanded to cover height and off-side wides, ensuring fairer calls. Despite controversies, the Impact Player rule remains intact.
16:41 (IST) Mar 22
IPL Live Score: Rahane's chance to shine in T20s
Ajinkya Rahane's credentials as a leader are undeniable. Known for leading India to a historic victory at the Gabba in 2021 and steering Mumbai to Ranji and Irani titles in 2024, Rahane has shown he can rise to the occasion. In limited-overs cricket, he has a perfect record as India's ODI captain and a respectable one in T20Is. He also top-scored for Mumbai in the Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament, racking up 469 runs with a blistering strike rate of 164.56.

However, Rahane's IPL captaincy track record is less inspiring. His last stint as a skipper with Rajasthan Royals in 2019 ended with just nine wins from 25 matches. This time, Rahane must not only lead a revamped squad but also score consistently to cement his place in the line-up.

The stakes are high for both captains in this IPL edition. With the pressure mounting and expectations soaring, how Rahane and Patidar handle their new roles will be crucial to their team's fortunes.
16:40 (IST) Mar 22
KKR vs RCB Live Score: Rahane to lead the defending champions
In a surprising move, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have handed over the captaincy to Ajinkya Rahane, parting ways with Shreyas Iyer, the skipper who guided them to their third IPL title last year. It's an unusual decision to release a winning captain, but KKR opted to chart a new path for IPL 2025. The departure of mentor Gautam Gambhir and support staff members Abhishek Nayar and Ryan ten Doeschate has further shaken up the think-tank.

Rahane, picked up at the mega auction at his base price, now finds himself at the helm. Though he wasn't seen as the first-choice leader, the management's faith in his experience and calm demeanor might prove valuable. It's a high-stakes gamble — a double-edged sword that could either be a masterstroke or backfire spectacularly.

For Rahane, this is a chance to prove his mettle as a leader in the shortest format. Rebuilding a winning combination with coach Chandrakant Pandit and mentor Dwayne Bravo will be his first big test.
16:38 (IST) Mar 22
IPL Live Score: Rajat Patidar's return to Eden Gardens
Rajat Patidar will be thrilled to step back onto the hallowed turf of Eden Gardens, a ground that holds a special place in his career. It was here, in the 2022 IPL Eliminator against Lucknow Super Giants, that Patidar's fortunes took a dramatic turn. Despite sharing the spotlight with giants like Faf du Plessis, Virat Kohli, and Glenn Maxwell, it was Patidar who stole the show that night.

Coming in at No. 3, he crafted a sensational unbeaten century, smashing 112 off just 54 balls with 12 fours and seven towering sixes. His heroics not only powered RCB to victory but also marked the highest individual IPL score at this iconic venue.

Fast forward to 2025, and Patidar returns in a new role — captain of RCB. With the elusive IPL trophy still out of reach for the franchise, the pressure will be immense. But with his evolving leadership, as seen with Madhya Pradesh in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20, Patidar looks set to embrace the challenge.
16:33 (IST) Mar 22
KKR vs RCB Live Score: KKR begin title defense against RCB in IPL 2025 opener
The blockbuster 2025 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to kick off with defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) taking on Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the tournament opener at the iconic Eden Gardens on Saturday. Fans are eagerly awaiting this thrilling clash between two powerhouses, as both teams embark on a new journey under fresh leadership.

KKR, led by seasoned campaigner Ajinkya Rahane, will look to make a statement right from the start of their title defense. On the other hand, RCB will be under the stewardship of Rajat Patidar, who has been entrusted with the responsibility of leading the franchise as they aim to overcome past disappointments and break their title drought.

The leadership reshuffle is just one of many changes witnessed by both teams following last year’s mega auction in Jeddah. The revamped squads boast a mix of experienced players and promising youngsters, adding an extra layer of excitement to this high-voltage encounter.

One of the most anticipated moments of the match will be seeing Indian cricket legend Virat Kohli back in the T20 format after his retirement from the shortest format following India's historic T20 World Cup triumph last year. Home fans at Eden Gardens will be eager to witness Kohli's return, as he continues to represent RCB in the IPL despite stepping away from international T20 cricket.
KKR vs RCB, IPL Live Score 2025: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) began their IPL 2025 campaign in style with a commanding seven-wicket victory over defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at Eden Gardens. Chasing a target of 175, RCB openers Virat Kohli and Phil Salt laid a solid foundation with a blistering 95-run partnership in just 8.3 overs. Kohli remained unbeaten on 59 off 36 balls, striking four boundaries and three sixes, while Salt smashed 56 off 31 balls with nine fours and two sixes. RCB comfortably chased down the target, reaching 177/3 in just 16.2 overs.

Earlier, KKR skipper Ajinkya Rahane led from the front with a brilliant 56, forming a vital 103-run stand with Sunil Narine, who scored 44 off 26 balls. At one stage, KKR looked set to post a total well above 200, but RCB’s bowlers bounced back remarkably. Left-arm spinner Krunal Pandya was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 3/29, while pacer Josh Hazlewood chipped in with two crucial wickets, including the early dismissal of Quinton de Kock.

Despite Rahane's captain’s knock and Narine’s aggressive cameo, KKR’s middle order failed to capitalize on the strong start. RCB’s clinical performance with both bat and ball ensured a perfect start to their season, leaving KKR to reassess their strategies moving forward.