IPL 2025 opener: Kohli, Krunal lead Bengaluru to dominant win over Kolkata

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) delivered a commanding performance in the opening match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, securing a seven-wicket victory over defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at Eden Gardens on March 22. While Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 59 anchored the chase, it was Krunal Pandya‘s impactful spell in the first innings that set the stage for the win. The match also marked a successful captaincy debut for Rajat Patidar, who led his side to a confident start in the tournament.

This opening fixture continued the tradition of electrifying IPL curtain-raisers. Since its inception in 2008, the tournament has had a history of thrilling first matches, including Kolkata Knight Riders’ famous victory over Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the very first IPL game, where Brendon McCullum’s explosive 158* set the league alight. Over the years, opening matches have often set the tone for the season, showcasing new talent and team strategies.

How Kolkata Knight Riders Lost the Grip After a Strong Start

Kolkata Knight Riders, a team with a history of strong IPL starts, had high expectations coming into the match, especially playing in front of their home crowd. Their performance in IPL openers has been historically mixed—while they have won several over the years, they have also suffered crucial early setbacks. Opting to bat first after losing the toss, KKR had a shaky start, with Quinton de Kock departing in the opening over. However, newly-appointed captain Ajinkya Rahane and Sunil Narine steadied the innings with a 103-run stand, reminiscent of past strong partnerships KKR has built at Eden Gardens.

Rahane, known for his classical yet aggressive approach in T20 cricket, displayed intent, smashing four sixes. Narine, who has been a pivotal all-rounder for KKR since 2012, initially struggled but accelerated later, a pattern often seen in his innings over the years.

At the halfway stage, Kolkata Knight Riders looked set to breach the 200-run mark, reaching 107 for 2 in 10 overs. However, RCB’s tactical execution in the middle overs changed the game. Krunal Pandya’s three-wicket spell dismantled the middle order, dismissing Rahane, Venkatesh Iyer, and Rinku Singh in quick succession. KKR’s last 10 overs yielded just 67 runs, a stark contrast to their performances in previous IPL openers where they had often dominated the death overs.

Powerplay: A Decisive Phase in Modern T20 Cricket

The evolution of powerplay strategy in T20 cricket has been pivotal in shaping match outcomes. In early IPL seasons, teams often aimed for a conservative start, preserving wickets for the latter overs. However, in recent years, franchises have increasingly recognized the need to maximize powerplay overs. This was evident in RCB’s approach in this match, as they raced to 80 without loss in the first six overs—a key factor in their victory.

In contrast, KKR’s cautious start—just 9 runs in the first three overs—proved costly. While they managed to recover, the early pressure allowed RCB’s bowlers to dictate terms later in the innings. Historically, RCB has struggled with powerplay bowling, often conceding rapid runs in previous seasons. However, the disciplined spells from Josh Hazlewood and Krunal Pandya showcased a shift in their approach, mirroring how champion teams have historically adapted to T20’s ever-evolving dynamics.

Phil Salt and Virat Kohli Dominate Kolkata’s Bowling Attack

RCB’s opening pair, Phil Salt and Virat Kohli, ensured that the chase never looked in doubt. Salt, who was part of Kolkata’s title-winning campaign last season, tormented his former team with an aggressive knock. His fearless hitting against Varun Chakaravarthy, where he struck multiple boundaries in two overs, set the tone. Kohli, who has had a history of leading IPL chases with composed innings, once again showcased his class, dispatching Spencer Johnson for massive sixes in the powerplay.

Kohli’s ability to chase down targets has been a defining trait of his IPL career. His unbeaten 59 in this match added to his legacy as one of the most consistent run-chasers in T20 cricket. Over the years, Kohli has anchored RCB’s batting lineup, often playing the role of a steadying force while others attack around him. This approach was evident again, as he let Salt dominate early before taking charge himself.

The duo amassed 95 runs for the first wicket in just 9.1 overs before Chakaravarthy dismissed Salt for 56. RCB then experimented with the Impact Player rule, sending in Devdutt Padikkal at No. 3, but that move didn’t work. However, Patidar, stepping in next, continued the charge, taking Harshit Rana apart in a single over with four boundaries. His cameo of 34 off 16 balls ensured there were no hiccups. Liam Livingstone applied the finishing touches, guiding RCB to 177 for 3 in just 16.2 overs.

Krunal Pandya’s Spell: A Game-Changer for RCB

Despite Kolkata’s aggressive start, their batting collapse in the middle overs was pivotal. Krunal Pandya’s ability to break key partnerships at the right moments ensured that RCB regained control. His spell of 3 for 29 was instrumental in preventing Kolkata from setting a higher total.

Krunal first dismissed Rahane, who was looking to shift gears, and then removed Venkatesh Iyer before cleaning up Rinku Singh with a quicker delivery. His tactical use, especially returning for a second spell when Kolkata seemed poised to accelerate, played a major role in restricting the total. His performance was reminiscent of other match-winning spells in IPL history, where spinners have turned games on their head with timely breakthroughs.

RCB’s Resounding Win and What It Means for the Season

With this victory, Royal Challengers Bengaluru have made a strong statement in IPL 2025. Their bowling attack, which had been questioned in previous seasons, executed a well-planned strategy that shut down Kolkata’s batting after a promising start. The batting unit, led by Kohli and Salt, showed confidence and composure in the chase.

Kolkata Knight Riders, on the other hand, will need to reassess their middle-order fragility and bowling plans, especially in the powerplay. Their inability to defend a competitive total raises concerns as they prepare to face Rajasthan Royals in their next game in Guwahati.

Meanwhile, RCB will head to Chennai to take on Chennai Super Kings, a venue where they have traditionally struggled. However, with the confidence of a clinical opening win, they will aim to build early momentum in the tournament.

Full Scorecard: Kolkata Knight Riders vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru

Kolkata Knight Riders Innings: 174-8 (20 Overs)

Batter	R	B	4s	6s	SR
Quinton de Kock (wk)	4	5	1	0	80.00
Sunil Narine	44	26	5	3	169.23
Ajinkya Rahane (c)	56	31	6	4	180.65
Venkatesh Iyer	6	7	1	0	85.71
Angkrish Raghuvanshi	30	22	2	1	136.36
Rinku Singh	12	10	1	0	120.00
Andre Russell	4	3	1	0	133.33
Ramandeep Singh	6	9	0	0	66.67
Harshit Rana	5	6	1	0	83.33
Spencer Johnson	1*	1	0	0	100.00
Extras	6 (b 0, lb 2, w 4, nb 0, p 0)
Total	174-8 (20 Overs)

Fall of Wickets:

1-4 (de Kock, 0.5), 2-107 (Narine, 9.6), 3-109 (Rahane, 10.3), 4-125 (Venkatesh Iyer, 12.1), 5-145 (Rinku Singh, 14.6), 6-150 (Russell, 15.4), 7-168 (Angkrish Raghuvanshi, 18.5), 8-173 (Harshit Rana, 19.5)

Bowling Figures – Royal Challengers Bengaluru

Bowler	O	M	R	W	NB	WD	ECO
Josh Hazlewood	4	0	22	2	0	0	5.50
Yash Dayal	3	0	25	1	0	0	8.30
Rasikh Salam	3	0	35	1	2	1	11.70
Krunal Pandya	4	0	29	3	0	1	7.20
Suyash Sharma	4	0	47	1	1	1	11.80
Liam Livingstone	2	0	14	0	0	0	7.00

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Royal Challengers Bengaluru Innings: 177-3 (16.2 Overs)

Batter	R	B	4s	6s	SR
Philip Salt	56	31	9	2	180.65
Virat Kohli	59*	36	4	3	163.89
Devdutt Padikkal	10	10	1	0	100.00
Rajat Patidar (c)	34	16	5	1	212.50
Liam Livingstone	15*	5	2	1	300.00
Extras	3 (b 0, lb 2, w 1, nb 0, p 0)
Total	177-3 (16.2 Overs)

Fall of Wickets:

1-95 (Salt, 8.3), 2-118 (Padikkal, 11.4), 3-162 (Patidar, 15.3)

Bowling Figures – Kolkata Knight Riders

Bowler	O	M	R	W	NB	WD	ECO
Vaibhav Arora	3	0	42	1	1	0	14.00
Spencer Johnson	2.2	0	31	0	0	0	13.30
Varun Chakaravarthy	4	0	43	1	0	0	10.80
Harshit Rana	3	0	32	0	0	0	10.70
Sunil Narine	4	0	27	1	0	0	6.80

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Match Info

• Match: KKR vs RCB, 1st Match, Indian Premier League 2025
• Date: Saturday, March 22, 2025
• Venue: Eden Gardens, Kolkata
• Toss: Royal Challengers Bengaluru won the toss and opted to bowl

Playing XIs

Kolkata Knight Riders: Quinton de Kock (wk), Venkatesh Iyer, Ajinkya Rahane (c), Rinku Singh, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Ramandeep Singh, Spencer Johnson, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Virat Kohli, Philip Salt, Rajat Patidar (c), Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Rasikh Dar Salam, Suyash Sharma, Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal