Kolkata: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) began their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 campaign with a commanding seven-wicket victory over Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at Eden Gardens on Saturday.
Chasing a target of 175, RCB reached 177 for 3 in just 16.2 overs, powered by an unbeaten 59 off 36 balls from Virat Kohli. Kohli anchored the innings with a composed knock, striking four boundaries and three sixes at a strike rate of 163.89. He brought up his half-century in style, lofting Harshit Rana over cover for four in the 13th over, receiving massive cheers from the Eden Gardens spectators. A pitch invader even ran onto the field and fell at Kohli’s feet in admiration.
Opener Philip Salt provided RCB with an explosive start, smashing 56 off just 31 balls, including nine fours and two sixes, before falling to Varun Chakaravarthy. Salt reached his fifty on IPL debut in the seventh over, driving Chakaravarthy to long-off for a single. His innings included some breathtaking shots, such as a lofted drive over long-off and a powerful smack into the RCB dugout that delighted his teammates.
During his knock, Kohli had a slice of luck when he was dropped by Ramandeep Singh at third man in the sixth over. The fielder, sprinting to his right, got his hands to the ball but couldn't hold on, injuring his fingers in the process. The physio had to rush out to tend to him.
Devdutt Padikkal (10) and Rajat Patidar (34 off 16) chipped in with quick contributions. Patidar, in particular, was aggressive, smashing Harshit Rana for three consecutive boundaries in the 15th over, including a flick over short fine leg and a wristy loft over backward point. He followed it up with another four off Vaibhav Arora in the next over before falling for 34.
Liam Livingstone finished off the game in style, smashing his first ball for four off Arora with a pull to the deep backward square-leg fence. He then took RCB over the line with another boundary, ensuring the win with 22 balls to spare.
For KKR, Chakaravarthy, Sunil Narine, and Arora took a wicket each, but their efforts were not enough to contain the RCB batsmen.
Earlier, KKR posted a competitive 174 for 8 in their allotted 20 overs after being put in to bat. Skipper Ajinkya Rahane led from the front with a fluent 56 off 31 balls, featuring six fours and four sixes. He was well supported by Sunil Narine, who contributed a quickfire 44 off 26 balls, forming a crucial 100-run partnership with Rahane.
Despite the strong start, KKR’s middle order faltered under disciplined bowling from RCB. Krunal Pandya emerged as the pick of the bowlers with figures of 3 for 29, while Josh Hazlewood (2/22) and Yash Dayal (1/25) provided vital breakthroughs. Rasikh Salam and Suyash Sharma also chipped in with a wicket each.
With this emphatic win, RCB started their IPL 2025 journey on a high note, while KKR will look to regroup ahead of their next fixture.
