Anticipation for the IPL 2025 opener between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) has been intensified by a pre-match verbal exchange. KKR's star batter Manish Pandey, has ignited a social media frenzy with comments directed at RCB, sparking a heated online debate between the two teams' fan bases.
Manish Pandey mocks RCB ahead of IPL 2025 opener
His comment came right ahead of the fiery contest between KKR and RCB in the IPL 2025 opener at the iconic Eden Gardens stadium on March 22.
A video circulating on social media sees Manish Pandey openly mocking RCB, setting the stage for a charged encounter.
"I have 49 problems but not even one solution," Manish Pandey was heard saying in a video.
For the unversed, the phrase '49 problems' alludes to the Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) disastrous batting performance in IPL 2017 on April 23, when they were dismissed for a mere 49 runs against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at Eden Gardens. This shockingly low score remains the lowest team total ever recorded in the IPL's existence, making it a particularly sensitive point of contention for RCB fans and a point of playful, or perhaps pointed, ribbing from KKR supporters.
Prior to the highly anticipated clash between KKR and RCB, the pre-match atmosphere was charged with strategic verbal exchanges. RCB's head coach, Andy Flower, engaged in a bit of psychological warfare during the pre-game press conference. In response to a reporter's inquiry, Flower suggested that it would be a 'daunting' task for KKR to overcome RCB, attempting to place a mental hurdle in their opponents' path.
The head-to-head record between the two franchises reveals a clear advantage for KKR. Out of the 34 IPL matches played between them, KKR has emerged victorious 20 times, while RCB has secured 14 wins. RCB will be aiming to narrow this gap and break their recent losing streak against KKR, as their last victory against the Kolkata-based team occurred three years ago in 2022.
RCB's IPL 2025 schedule:
KKR vs RCB - 7:30 pm - March 22 - Kolkata
CSK vs RCB - 7:30 pm - March 28 - Chennai
RCB vs GT - 7:30 pm - April 2 - Bengaluru
MI vs RCB - 7:30 pm - April 7 - Mumbai
RCB vs DC - 7:30 pm - April 10 - Bengaluru
RR vs RCB - 3:30 pm - April 13 - Jaipur
RCB vs PBKS - 7:30 pm - April 18 - Bengaluru
PBKS vs RCB - 3:30 pm - April 20 - Mullanpur
RCB vs RR - 7:30 pm - April 24 - Bengaluru
DC vs RCB - 7:30 pm - April 27 - Delhi
RCB vs CSK - 7:30 pm - May 3 - Bengaluru
LSG vs RCB - 7:30 pm - May 9 - Lucknow
RCB vs SRH - 7:30 pm - May 13 - Bengaluru
RCB vs KKR - 7:30 pm - May 17 - Bengaluru
RCB's IPL 2025 squad:
Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Yash Dayal, Liam Livingstone, Phil Salt, Jitesh Sharma, Josh Hazlewood, Rasikh Dar, Suyash Sharma, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Swapnil Singh, Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Nuwan Thushara, Manoj Bhandage, Jacob Bethell, Devdutt Padikkal, Swastik Chikara, Lungi Ngidi, Abhinandan Singh, Mohit Rathee