KKR vs RCB: RCB Start IPL 2025 with a Dominant Victory Over Defending Champions KKR, Lead by Virat Kohli and Phil Salt

Defending champions KKR, after losing the toss, posted a competitive total of 174/8 in 20 overs, thanks to a brilliant century partnership between Ajinkya Rahane and Sunil Narine. In response, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) chased down the target in just 16.2 overs, losing only three wickets, and secured a comfortable seven-wicket victory.

RCB Makes a Statement with a Dominant Win

Powered by a sensational 95-run opening partnership between Virat Kohli and Phil Salt, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) started their IPL 2025 campaign with a resounding win over Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at Eden Gardens.

After losing the toss, defending champions KKR posted 174/8 in 20 overs, with Ajinkya Rahane and Sunil Narine leading the charge. However, RCB responded emphatically, chasing down the target in just 16.2 overs with seven wickets in hand.

Phil Salt’s Half-Century Sets the Tone

Phil Salt and Virat Kohli provided a flying start for RCB, adding 95 runs for the first wicket. The English batter was in sublime form, smashing a 25-ball half-century, his seventh in IPL history. Salt scored a blistering 56 before being dismissed by Varun Chakravarthy.

RCB Registers One of Their Best Powerplay Scores

Before Salt’s dismissal, he and Kohli had already ensured a historic start for RCB. The team scored 80 runs in the powerplay without losing a wicket, making it their second-highest powerplay score in IPL history. Their best remains 92/1 against Gujarat Titans last season. Against KKR, RCB struck 14 boundaries in the first six overs, making it the third time they achieved such a feat.

Kohli’s Heroics Seal the Victory

After Salt’s departure, impact player Devdutt Padikkal contributed just 10 runs. However, captain Rajat Patidar played a crucial cameo, scoring 34 off 16 balls to take the team closer to victory.

Virat Kohli, playing his 400th T20 match, ensured RCB’s triumph with an unbeaten 59 off 30 balls, bringing up his 56th IPL half-century. With this innings, Kohli surpassed David Warner to become the fifth-highest run-scorer in T20 history. Liam Livingstone remained unbeaten on 15 as RCB comfortably chased down the target.

For KKR, Vaibhav Arora, Varun Chakravarthy, and Sunil Narine claimed one wicket each.

Rahane and Narine Shine for KKR

KKR had a shaky start after losing Quinton de Kock for just four runs to Josh Hazlewood in the very first over. However, Sunil Narine and Ajinkya Rahane counterattacked, forging a 103-run stand off just 55 balls for the second wicket.

Rahane smashed a 25-ball half-century, his 31st in IPL history, before being dismissed for 56 off 31 balls. Narine also contributed with a solid 44, hitting five fours and three sixes.

KKR’s Batting Collapses After a Strong Start

Despite the solid platform, KKR’s middle order crumbled. Angkrish Raghuvanshi scored 30, while Venkatesh Iyer (6), Andre Russell (4), Harshit Rana (5), and Ramandeep Singh (6) failed to capitalize. Spencer Johnson remained unbeaten on 1.

For RCB, Krunal Pandya was the standout bowler with three wickets, while Josh Hazlewood bagged two. Yash Dayal, Rasikh Salam, and Suyash Sharma took one wicket each.

With this emphatic seven-wicket win, RCB has announced their intentions for IPL 2025 in style. Kohli’s masterclass, Salt’s explosive knock, and a dominant bowling performance ensured a memorable victory over the defending champions at their home ground.