IPL 2025: Kohli, Salt & Bowlers Shine As RCB Defeat KKR By 7 Wickets In Kolkata

KKR vs RCB: Royal Challengers Bengaluru defeated the defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders in the 2025 season opener in Kolkata.

KKR vs RCB: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) defeated Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) by seven wickets in the inaugural match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) season 2025 at the Eden Gardens Stadium on March 22 (Saturday). While Virat Kohli, Phil Salt shone with the bat for RCB, Josh Hazlewood and Krunal Pandya helped the visitors restrict Kolkata to 174/8 in 20 overs in the first innings despite a solid start in the first 10 overs.

Winning the toss, RCB's captain Rajat Patidar opted to bowl first in Kolkata. KKR faced an early setback as they lost Quinton de Kock to Hazlewood in the very first over. Despite the early wicket, Sunil Narine and Ajinkya Rahane kept KKR's batting going as they dealt in regular boundaries and sixes. While captain Rahane scored 31-ball 56 runs innings, Narine smashed 44 runs off just 26 balls. KKR were set for a massive score as they were 107-2 in 10 overs. However, RCB bowlers made a remarkable comeback to restrict the defending champions to 174-8 in 20 overs.

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Rain? Sure, our boys Reigned! 🤩

Took no prisoners tonight. Excellent start! 🧿❤️#PlayBold #ನಮ್ಮRCB #IPL2025 #KKRvRCB pic.twitter.com/ftaC54R9tv

— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) March 22, 2025

Spirited comeback with the ball ✅
Dominating effort with the bat ✅@RCBTweets are up and away in #TATAIPL 2025 with a commanding win over #KKR ❤️

Scorecard ▶ https://t.co/C9xIFpQDTn#KKRvRCB pic.twitter.com/zs6fXmhYv9

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) March 22, 2025

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Chasing 175, RCB openers Phil Salt and Virat Kohli launched an onslought on the KKR bowlers as they reached 95 in just 8.2 overs before losing Salt, who scored a 31-ball 56 runs knock. Kohli scored a 36-ball 59 runs innings, remaining not out. Rajat Patidar played a brilliant cameo as he scored a 16-ball 34 runs knock before losing his wicket to Vaibhav Arora.

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