Royal Challengers Bengaluru Crush Kolkata Knight Riders by 7 Wickets in IPL 2025 Opener

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 kicked off in grand style at Eden Gardens, where Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) outclassed defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) with a dominant 7-wicket victory. Virat Kohli and Rajat Patidar played starring roles in RCB’s emphatic chase, leaving KKR reeling in disappointment.

RCB’s Commanding Chase

Chasing a competitive target of 175, RCB got off to a staggering start with Virat Kohli and Phil Salt setting the stage on fire. Kohli was at his vintage best, smashing a quickfire half-century in just 30 balls, while Salt, a former KKR player, tormented his old team with a blistering 56 off 31 balls. Their aggressive opening stand put RCB firmly in control from the outset.

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Captain Rajat Patidar ensured there were no hiccups, delivering an explosive 16-ball 34-run cameo that further dismantled KKR’s bowling attack. By the 16th over, RCB had stormed to 167/3, making the result a mere formality. They comfortably reached 175/3, sealing the win with plenty of deliveries to spare.

KKR’s Underwhelming Batting Display

After winning the toss and opting to bowl, RCB’s decision paid off as they restricted KKR to 174/8 in their 20 overs. Kolkata had a promising start, with captain Ajinkya Rahane leading from the front with a composed 56, while Sunil Narine added a crucial 44 runs. However, their middle order failed to capitalize on the momentum, crumbling under the disciplined bowling attack of RCB.

Krunal Pandya was the pick of the bowlers, scalping three key wickets, while Josh Hazlewood proved his mettle with figures of 2/22. Despite KKR’s early promise, their innings faltered, and the total seemed inadequate against RCB’s powerhouse batting lineup.

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Kohli Shines as RCB Announce Their Title Intentions

Virat Kohli’s stellar performance set the tone for RCB’s IPL 2025 campaign, and his form will be a massive boost for the team moving forward. With a confident start, RCB look like serious contenders for the trophy this season. On the other hand, KKR will need to regroup quickly and address their batting concerns if they hope to defend their title.

What’s Next?

RCB’s next challenge will be against a strong opposition, and fans will be eager to see if they can maintain their momentum. KKR, meanwhile, will look to bounce back stronger in their upcoming fixture and avoid early setbacks in the tournament.