The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season kicked off with a bang as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) unleashed their fury on defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the inaugural match at Eden Gardens. Powered by a stellar Chennai innings by Virat Kohli, RCB overcame KKR’s 174-run target in 16.2 overs to record a seven-wicket victory.
KKR’s Explosive Start Fizzles Out
Batting first, KKR were looking good for a huge score, having scored 107/1 in 9.5 overs. Captain Ajinkya Rahane spearheaded the assault with a flamboyant half century, while Sunil Narine gave a good start with his blitzkrieg. However, RCB’s bowling unit bounced back to turn the tide. Notably, Krunal Pandya (3/29) stood out with the wickets of Rahane, Venkatesh Iyer and Rinku Singh, while Josh Hazlewood (2/22) was very disciplined in both powerplay and death overs. KKR’s middle order crumbled under the pressure and it could only muster 174/8 in the 20 overs.
Kohli’s Historic Milestone in a Dominant Chase
RCB’s response was nothing short of sensational. Phil Salt (56 off 31) set the tone early with an aggressive display, smashing boundaries at will. Virat Kohli, anchoring the chase, reached yet another milestone by becoming the third player in IPL history to score over 1,000 runs against KKR, joining David Warner and Rohit Sharma. Kohli remained unbeaten on 59 off 36 balls, ensuring RCB’s smooth ride to victory.
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Liam Livingstone provided the finishing touches with an explosive cameo, hitting a six and a four to seal the win in the 17th over. Rajat Patidar (34 off 16) also played a vital role, accelerating the chase in the middle overs.
Krunal Pandya Bags Player of the Match
For his game-changing spell, Krunal Pandya was awarded the ‘Player of the Match’. His three wickets halted KKR’s momentum and allowed RCB to control the game. This victory also broke RCB’s losing streak against KKR, who had won the last four encounters between the two sides.
Impact on the IPL 2025 Standings
With this win, RCB gained a crucial early advantage in the tournament, significantly boosting their net run rate. KKR, on the other hand, will need to bounce back quickly as they face Rajasthan Royals in their next fixture.
The IPL 2025 season has kicked off with a bang, and if this match is any indication, fans can expect an action-packed tournament ahead!
