RCB Overpower KKR by 7 Wickets in IPL 2025 Opener
A scintillating opening partnership between Virat Kohli (59* off 36 balls) and Phil Salt (56 off 25 balls) propelled Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) to a commanding seven-wicket victory over defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the opening match of the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season at Eden Gardens on Saturday.
Chasing 175, RCB’s blistering start, driven by Salt and Kohli, was the highlight of the run chase. After KKR posted 174/8 in their allotted 20 overs, RCB swiftly dismantled the target, finishing with 177/3 in just 16.2 overs, securing an emphatic win with 22 balls to spare.
KKR’s Struggle With the Bat
KKR’s batting innings was anchored by a solid half-century from Ajinkya Rahane (56), while Sunil Narine added a valuable 44 at the other end. However, they struggled to accelerate in the later stages, largely due to effective bowling from Krunal Pandya (3-29) and Josh Hazlewood (2-22), who helped restrict KKR to a total that ultimately proved insufficient.
RCB’s bowlers were disciplined and economical, with Pandya and Hazlewood playing pivotal roles in the middle overs. Despite Rahane and Narine’s efforts, KKR could not manage to break free from RCB’s bowlers, leaving them with a modest total to defend.
Salt and Kohli Set the Stage
In reply, Salt and Kohli set a blistering pace, laying the foundation for a successful chase. Salt, with his aggressive stroke play, led the charge. He started the innings with a majestic cover drive off Vaibhav Arora and never looked back, hammering Arora and Spencer Johnson to all parts of the ground. Salt’s knock included a flurry of boundaries, including a pull shot over square-leg for four and a lofted six off Johnson that had the crowd roaring.
Kohli, meanwhile, was in sublime touch, playing with effortless elegance. His trademark flicks through mid-wicket and powerful shots down the ground complemented Salt’s aggression. Kohli soon produced the standout moment of the chase with consecutive straight sixes off Johnson.
As the opening pair raced to 95 runs, Salt was dismissed just before the halfway mark of the chase, caught at short third man off Varun Chakaravarthy. Despite the loss of Salt, Kohli remained unperturbed, and with the support of Devdutt Padikkal (14), RCB continued to march toward the target.
The Final Push
Kohli brought up his 56th IPL half-century in the 13th over, driving Harshit Rana elegantly for four. Captain Rajat Patidar also played a key role, with some stylish strokes, including a six off Narine and several boundaries off Rana. Patidar’s dismissal brought Liam Livingstone to the crease, who played a crucial cameo, hitting a four and two sixes to guide RCB across the line with a decisive boundary past mid-on.
RCB’s victory was well-rounded, with contributions from all corners, and a statement performance to open their IPL 2025 campaign.
Brief Scores:
Kolkata Knight Riders: 174/8 in 20 overs (Ajinkya Rahane 56, Sunil Narine 44; Krunal Pandya 3-29, Josh Hazlewood 2-22)
Royal Challengers Bangalore: 177/3 in 16.2 overs (Virat Kohli 59* off 36, Phil Salt 56 off 25; Sunil Narine 1-27, Vaibhav Arora 1-42)
Result: RCB won by 7 wickets
