Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) registered their first win under Rajat Patidar's captaincy as they thrashed defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 campaign opener at the Eden Gardens stadium on March 22.
RCB gun down KKR in IPL 2025 opener
Batting first KKR posted a competitive total of 174/8 riding on Ajinkya Rahane's blistering fifty (31-ball 56). In reply, Phil Salt (56 off 31) and Virat Kohli (59 off 36) cracked lightning half centuries to chase down the target in just 16.1 overs with seven wickets to spare. With this RCB effectively avenging their defeat in the inaugural IPL 2008 season opener.
RCB's batting performance was particularly noteworthy, with debutant Salt making an immediate impact. He delivered a rapid 56 runs from just 31 deliveries, showcasing his aggressive style with nine fours and two sixes, resulting in an impressive strike rate of 180.65. Virat Kohli, the former RCB captain, also contributed significantly to the team's total. He scored 59 runs off 36 balls, including four fours and three sixes, maintaining a strong strike rate of 163.89.
During this match, Virat Kohli achieved a big milestone as the clash marked his 400th T20 innings. He became only the third cricketer in IPL history to score 1,000 runs against the KKR. This accomplishment places him alongside David Warner, who has 1093 runs in 28 innings against KKR but went unsold in the IPL 2025 mega-auction, and former Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma, who has accumulated 1070 runs in 34 innings.
While Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) began their innings with explosive batting, they struggled to maintain momentum during the middle overs. RCB disciplined bowling attack effectively stifled KKR's progress. Ajinkya Rahane, the new KKR captain, played a vital innings, scoring 56 runs off 25 balls, which ultimately guided his team to a total of 174 for 8. However, KKR failed to capitalize on their initial strong start, largely due to an exceptional bowling display by RCB's Krunal Pandya. Pandya's performance, which yielded 3 wickets for 29 runs, significantly hampered KKR's scoring and prevented them from reaching what initially looked like a possible 220-run total. Josh Hazlewood also contributed significantly to RCB's bowling effort, finishing with figures of 2 for 22.
Chasing a target of 175 runs, RCB began their innings strongly, with Salt and Kohli establishing a dominant 95-run partnership for the first wicket, achieved in just 51 balls. This initial surge threatened to turn the match into a one-sided affair. Salt, who had previously struggled against spin during the India vs. England T20I and ODI series in India, was eventually dismissed by Varun Chakaravarthy. Shortly after, Devdutt Paddikal was also dismissed, scoring 10 runs off 10 balls.
Rajat Patidar, making his debut as a franchise captain, contributed a quickfire cameo. Batting at number four, he scored 36 runs off just 16 balls, including five fours and a six, at an impressive strike rate of 212.50. Although he was dismissed by Vaibhav Arora, the damage was already done. Liam Livingstone then swiftly concluded the match, scoring 15 runs off 5 balls with two fours and a six. RCB ultimately secured a comfortable 7-wicket victory with 22 balls remaining.
Looking ahead, RCB will play against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Friday, March 28. Meanwhile, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will face Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati on Wednesday, March 26.