IPL 2025: Who won yesterday's game between KKR vs RCB?

On the opening day of IPL 2025, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) secured a seven-wicket win over Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Defending champions KKR could not start their campaign with a win in front of their home crowd under new skipper Ajinkya Rahane. 

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RCB’s Krunal Pandya was named Player of the Match for his three-wicket spell. RCB’s new captain, Rajat Patidar, won the toss and chose to bowl first. Their bowlers performed exceptionally well, restricting KKR to 174/8 in 20 overs. Rahane was superb with the bat, scoring 56 off 31 balls while batting at number three. 

Opener Sunil Narine also played a quick knock of 44 off 26 balls. The duo built a solid 103-run partnership for the second wicket. Apart from them, Angkrish Raghuvanshi contributed 30 off 22 balls, but the rest struggled to score big, and KKR failed to cross the 175-run mark.

For RCB, Krunal Pandya (3/29 in four overs) and Josh Hazlewood (2/22 in four overs) bowled brilliantly. They assessed the pitch conditions well and bowled accordingly. Suyash Sharma, Rashik Salam, and Yash Dayal also chipped in with one wicket each.

Let’s take a look at RCB’s chase

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KKR’s total was below par, especially at Eden Gardens, known for high-scoring games. However, with their strong bowling attack, fans still hoped for a fight. But Phil Salt and Virat Kohli had different plans. Salt, who played a key role in KKR’s title-winning season last year, dominated the bowlers and smashed 56 off 31 balls. 

Kohli played a classy innings, remaining unbeaten on 59 off 36 balls. Patidar, batting at number three, added a quick 34 off 16 balls, while Liam Livingstone provided the finishing touch with 15* runs off just five deliveries. Salt and Kohli built a 95-run opening stand in just 8.3 overs, completely taking the game away from KKR.

For KKR, Narine, Varun Chakravarthy, and Vaibhav Arora picked up one wicket each. RCB’s next match is against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in Chennai on March 28, while KKR will face Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Guwahati on March 26.

Brief scores:

RCB won the toss and elected to bowl first

KKR: 174/8 (20) 

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Ajinkya Rahane 56 (31), Sunil Narine 44 (26), Krunal Pandya 3/29, Josh Hazlewood 2/22

RCB: 177/3 (16.2)

Virat Kohli 59* (36), Phil Salt 56 (31), Sunil Narine 1/27, Varun Chakravarthy 1/43

RCB won by seven wickets.

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