The stage is set for a blockbuster start to the 18th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) as defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) face Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the season opener at Eden Gardens on Saturday, March 22, 2025. Both franchises begin fresh chapters under new captains — Ajinkya Rahane leads KKR while Rajat Patidar steps in as RCB’s new skipper.
The season kicks off with heightened anticipation, not just due to the revamped squads post the Jeddah mega auction, but also because of Virat Kohli’s return to T20 cricket. The Indian batting legend is set to play his 400th T20 match, marking his first appearance in the format since retiring after India’s T20 World Cup win last year.
Eden Gardens pitch report:
The Eden Gardens surface is known to be batter-friendly, offering consistent bounce and a quick outfield. However, compared to flatter tracks like those in Bengaluru or Hyderabad, this pitch tends to offer a bit more for the bowlers, ensuring a balanced contest.
Key players to watch:
- KKR: All eyes will be on Venkatesh Iyer, the franchise’s top buy in the auction. Meanwhile, Varun Chakravarthy, known for troubling Virat Kohli in the past, could be a game-changer with the ball.
- RCB: Virat Kohli headlines the RCB lineup, aiming for another milestone — scoring 1,000 runs against four different IPL teams.
KKR vs RCB head-to-head:
Out of 34 encounters, KKR have won 20 while RCB have won 14. KKR have had the upper hand in recent meetings, winning four of the last five matches. RCB’s last win against KKR came in IPL 2022.
Squads:
KKR: Ajinkya Rahane (C), Venkatesh Iyer (VC), Quinton de Kock (wk), Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Rinku Singh, Moeen Ali, Anrich Nortje, Varun Chakravarthy, Vaibhav Arora, and others.
RCB: Rajat Patidar (C), Virat Kohli, Phil Salt (wk), Liam Livingstone, Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Josh Hazlewood, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal, and others.
Predicted XIs:
KKR: Narine, de Kock (wk), Rahane (C), Venkatesh, Rinku, Russell, Ramandeep, Harshit Rana, Nortje/Spencer, Varun, Vaibhav Arora
RCB: Salt (wk), Kohli, Patidar (C), Livingstone, Bethell/Tim David, Krunal, Swapnil, Hazlewood, Yash Dayal, Suyash, Bhuvneshwar
With star-studded lineups and a historic venue, the IPL 2025 opener promises high-octane cricket, strategic battles, and a memorable return for Virat Kohli in front of an electric Eden Gardens crowd.
