The IPL 2025 season roared to life on March 22, 2025, at the electric Eden Gardens in Kolkata, where Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) sent a clear message with a commanding 7-wicket victory over Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Chasing a modest 175, RCB’s new-look opening pair of Phil Salt and Virat Kohli turned the game into a spectacle, sealing the win with 22 balls to spare and setting the tone for their campaign.
KKR, batting first after winning the toss, came out swinging with their new captain Ajinkya Rahane leading from the front. Rahane, in his first outing as KKR skipper, unleashed a whirlwind 56 off just 31 balls, peppering the boundary with 6 fours and 4 sixes. He found an able partner in Sunil Narine, who smashed 44 off 26, their 107-run stand in 9.6 overs giving KKR a dream start. The Eden Gardens crowd was on its feet as Rahane lofted a cover drive for six, signaling KKR’s intent to dominate. But cricket, as it often does, had other plans. Enter Krunal Pandya, RCB’s trump card, who turned the tide with a magical spell of 3 for 29. Pandya’s guile outfoxed Narine, who chopped on, and soon after, Venkatesh Iyer (30 off 22) fell to a sharp caught-and-bowled. KKR’s middle order, a familiar Achilles’ heel, crumbled under pressure, slipping from 107 for 2 to 174 for 8. Josh Hazlewood chipped in with 2 for 22, while KKR’s late-order batters struggled to find momentum, leaving their total looking 20 runs shy of par.
RCB’s chase was nothing short of a batting clinic. Phil Salt, making his RCB debut, walked out with a point to prove and boy, did he deliver. The Englishman bludgeoned 56 off 31 balls, his 9 fours and 2 sixes a treat for the eyes. One pull shot off Andre Russell soared into the stands, a statement of intent. At the other end, Virat Kohli played the anchor with a twist, his unbeaten 59 off 36 a blend of grit and flair, featuring 4 fours and 3 sixes. Their 95-run opening stand in 8.3 overs was a powerplay masterclass, racking up 80 without loss—RCB’s second-highest ever in the IPL. KKR’s bowlers, including Narine and Russell, had no answers as Salt dispatched anything short with disdain. Even a brief moment of chaos—a pitch invader storming the field in the 7th over—couldn’t derail RCB’s focus. Salt eventually fell to a miscued lofted cover drive, but Kohli kept the scoreboard ticking. Rajat Patidar and Liam Livingstone chipped in with quickfire cameos, and Livingstone sealed the deal with a boundary in the 17th over, RCB finishing at 177 for 3.
HIGHLIGHTS | KOLKATA KNIGHT RIDERS VS ROYAL CHALLENGERS BENGALURU
The match had its share of defining moments. Rahane’s 25-ball fifty set the tone for KKR, but Pandya’s triple strike—removing Narine, Iyer, and another in quick succession—shifted the momentum. For RCB, the Salt-Kohli blitz in the powerplay was a game-changer, their 80-run burst leaving KKR shell-shocked. Pandya’s all-round impact earned him the Player of the Match award, his 3 for 29 a reminder of his knack for turning games in the middle overs. Hazlewood’s disciplined bowling complemented Pandya, while KKR’s inability to capitalize on their start highlighted a recurring issue.
Here’s a quick look at the standout performers:
| Player | Team | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Wickets | Economy |
| Ajinkya Rahane | KKR | 56 | 31 | 6 | 4 | – | – |
| Sunil Narine | KKR | 44 | 26 | 5 | 3 | – | – |
| Phil Salt | RCB | 56 | 31 | 9 | 2 | – | – |
| Virat Kohli | RCB | 59* | 36 | 4 | 3 | – | – |
| Krunal Pandya | RCB | – | – | – | – | 3 | 7.25 |
| Josh Hazlewood | RCB | – | – | – | – | 2 | 5.50 |
RCB’s victory wasn’t just about the runs—it was about the statement. Their batting depth, with Salt and Kohli firing, looks ominous for opponents. Kohli, in particular, seemed to relish the chase, his unbeaten knock a reminder of why he’s the king of run-chases. For KKR, the loss stings, but Rahane’s fiery start offers a silver lining. Their middle order, though, needs urgent attention if they’re to defend their title.
As the IPL 2025 season unfolds, RCB will take confidence from this clinical performance, while KKR will look to bounce back in their next outing. Eden Gardens may have witnessed a defeat for the home side, but the stage is set for more thrilling battles in the weeks ahead.