The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 kicked off with a bang on March 22, 2025, at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata, where the Kolkata Knight Riders vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru Match Scorecard in the season’s opening match. The clash was a thrilling spectacle, with RCB emerging victorious by 7 wickets with 22 balls to spare. This article dives into the details of the match, breaking down the scorecard, key performances, and memorable moments in a way that’s easy for fans of all ages to enjoy. Whether you’re a die-hard cricket lover or just someone who enjoys a good game, let’s relive the excitement of this high-octane encounter!
The Build-Up to the Match
The IPL is more than just a cricket tournament—it’s a festival that brings fans together with its mix of skill, strategy, and star power. KKR, led by the experienced Ajinkya Rahane, were looking to start their campaign on a strong note at their home ground. RCB, under the dynamic leadership of Rajat Patidar, came into the match with a formidable lineup, featuring stalwarts like Virat Kohli and new faces like Phil Salt. The stage was set for a classic IPL showdown, with both teams eager to set the tone for the season.
Eden Gardens was buzzing with energy. The stands were packed with fans waving purple and gold flags for KKR and red and black for RCB. The toss went RCB’s way, and they chose to bowl first, banking on their strong bowling attack to restrict KKR’s explosive batting lineup. Little did we know, this decision would set the stage for a dominant performance by RCB.
KKR’s Innings: A Promising Start, A Stumbling Finish
KKR’s batting innings began with Quinton de Kock and Sunil Narine opening the batting. De Kock, however, had a short stay at the crease, falling for just 4 runs off 5 balls, caught by Jitesh Sharma off Josh Hazlewood’s bowling. This early wicket put pressure on KKR, but Narine and captain Ajinkya Rahane steadied the ship with a sensational 103-run partnership for the second wicket.
Rahane was in sublime form, playing with elegance and aggression. He smashed 56 runs off just 31 balls, including 6 fours and 4 sixes, reaching his fifty with a towering six over mid-wicket. Narine complemented him well, scoring a brisk 44 off 26 balls with 5 fours and 3 sixes. Their partnership was a masterclass in T20 batting, mixing clever shot-making with powerful hitting. By the end of the powerplay, KKR were 60/1, and the home crowd was roaring.
However, RCB’s bowlers struck back after the strategic timeout. Krunal Pandya, who would later be named Player of the Match, turned the game with his disciplined spin bowling. He dismissed Rahane, caught by Rasikh Salam, and followed it up by removing Venkatesh Iyer (6 off 7) and Rinku Singh (12 off 10). Pandya’s figures of 3/29 in 4 overs were pivotal in triggering a middle-order collapse. Andre Russell, known for his big-hitting, managed only 4 runs before falling to Suyash Sharma, who was playing against his former team.
Despite contributions from Angkrish Raghuvanshi (30 off 22) and Ramandeep Singh (6 not out), KKR couldn’t maintain their momentum. Josh Hazlewood (2/22) and Yash Dayal (1/wicket) kept things tight, and KKR finished at 174/8 in their 20 overs. It was a competitive total, but the middle-order collapse meant they fell short of the 180-190 they might have aimed for.
RCB’s Chase: A Blistering Response
Chasing 175, RCB’s openers, Virat Kohli and Phil Salt, came out all guns blazing. Salt, making his debut for RCB after a stellar season with KKR in 2024, announced himself in style. The duo smashed 80 runs in the powerplay, setting a scorching pace. Salt raced to a 25-ball fifty, his aggressive strokeplay leaving KKR’s bowlers shell-shocked. Kohli, anchoring the innings, played with his trademark precision, reaching an unbeaten 59 off 36 balls.
The evening dew at Eden Gardens made life tough for KKR’s bowlers, with the ball slipping and skidding onto the bat. Salt and Kohli capitalized, mixing boundaries with smart running to keep the required run rate well under control. Varun Chakravarthy finally broke through, dismissing Salt for 56 off 31 balls, but the damage was done—RCB were already halfway to the target.
Captain Rajat Patidar chipped in with a quickfire 34, maintaining the momentum. Liam Livingstone sealed the chase with a boundary, finishing unbeaten on 15 off 5 balls. RCB reached 177/3 in just 16.2 overs, wrapping up the game with 22 balls to spare. It was a clinical performance, showcasing RCB’s batting depth and their ability to dominate even a strong KKR side.
Key Performances and Turning Points Kolkata Knight Riders vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru Match Scorecard
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Ajinkya Rahane (KKR): His 56 off 31 balls gave KKR a solid foundation, but his dismissal sparked the collapse.
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Sunil Narine (KKR): Narine’s 44 off 26 and 1/27 with the ball showed his all-round value, though it wasn’t enough.
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Krunal Pandya (RCB): The Player of the Match, Pandya’s 3/29 was a game-changer, breaking KKR’s middle order.
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Phil Salt (RCB): His explosive 56 off 31 set the tone for RCB’s chase.
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Virat Kohli (RCB): Unbeaten on 59, Kohli’s composure ensured RCB crossed the finish line with ease.
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Josh Hazlewood (RCB): His 2/22, including the early wicket of de Kock, set the tone for RCB’s bowling effort.
The turning point came when Pandya dismissed Rahane and Iyer in quick succession, derailing KKR’s innings. In the chase, Salt and Kohli’s powerplay blitz ensured RCB never looked back.
The Kolkata Knight Riders vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru Match Scorecard: A Detailed Look
Below is the full scorecard for the Kolkata Knight Riders vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru Match Scorecard, capturing every run, wicket, and key moment.
|
Kolkata Knight Riders Innings |
174/8 (20 Overs) |
Batting |
R |
B |
4s |
6s |
SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Quinton de Kock (wk) |
c Jitesh Sharma b Hazlewood |
4 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 80.00 | |
|
Sunil Narine |
c Jitesh Sharma b Rasikh Salam |
44 | 26 | 5 | 3 | 169.23 | |
|
Ajinkya Rahane (c) |
c Rasikh Salam b Krunal Pandya |
56 | 31 | 6 | 4 | 180.65 | |
|
Venkatesh Iyer |
b Krunal Pandya |
6 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 85.71 | |
|
Angkrish Raghuvanshi |
c Jitesh Sharma b Yash Dayal |
30 | 22 | 2 | 1 | 136.36 | |
|
Rinku Singh |
b Krunal Pandya |
12 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 120.00 | |
|
Andre Russell |
b Suyash Sharma |
4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 133.33 | |
|
Ramandeep Singh |
not out |
6 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 66.67 | |
|
Harshit Rana |
c Jitesh Sharma b Hazlewood |
5 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 83.33 | |
|
Spencer Johnson |
not out |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00 | |
|
Extras |
(lb 1, w 5) |
6 | |||||
|
Total |
174/8 (20 Ov) |
||||||
|
Did Not Bat |
Varun Chakravarthy |
||||||
|
Fall of Wickets |
4-1 (de Kock, 0.5), 107-2 (Narine, 9.6), 109-3 (Rahane, 10.3), 125-4 (Iyer, 12.1), 145-5 (Rinku, 14.6), 150-6 (Russell, 15.4), 168-7 (Raghuvanshi, 18.5), 173-8 (Rana, 19.5) |
||||||
|
Bowling |
O |
M |
R |
W |
Econ |
||
|
Josh Hazlewood |
4 | 0 | 22 | 2 | 5.50 | ||
|
Yash Dayal |
4 | 0 | 35 | 1 | 8.75 | ||
|
Rasikh Dar Salam |
3 | 0 | 38 | 1 | 12.67 | ||
|
Krunal Pandya |
4 | 0 | 29 | 3 | 7.25 | ||
|
Suyash Sharma |
3 | 0 | 28 | 1 | 9.33 | ||
|
Liam Livingstone |
2 | 0 | 21 | 0 | 10.50 |
|
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Innings |
177/3 (16.2 Overs) |
Batting |
R |
B |
4s |
6s |
SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Virat Kohli |
not out |
59 | 36 | 6 | 1 | 163.89 | |
|
Phil Salt |
c (sub) b Varun Chakravarthy |
56 | 31 | 7 | 2 | 180.65 | |
|
Rajat Patidar (c) |
c (sub) b Sunil Narine |
34 | 26 | 4 | 1 | 130.77 | |
|
Liam Livingstone |
not out |
15 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 300.00 | |
|
Extras |
(lb 2, w 11) |
13 | |||||
|
Total |
177/3 (16.2 Ov) |
||||||
|
Did Not Bat |
Jitesh Sharma, Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Rasikh Dar Salam, Suyash Sharma, Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal |
||||||
|
Fall of Wickets |
103-1 (Salt, 9.1), 149-2 (Patidar, 14.2), 153-3 (unspecified, 15.1) |
||||||
|
Bowling |
O |
M |
R |
W |
Econ |
||
|
Spencer Johnson |
2.2 | 0 | 31 | 0 | 13.39 | ||
|
Harshit Rana |
3 | 0 | 36 | 0 | 12.00 | ||
|
Varun Chakravarthy |
4 | 0 | 43 | 1 | 10.75 | ||
|
Sunil Narine |
4 | 0 | 27 | 1 | 6.75 | ||
|
Andre Russell |
2 | 0 | 24 | 0 | 12.00 | ||
|
Vaibhav Arora |
1 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 14.00 |
Match Details:
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Venue: Eden Gardens, Kolkata
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Date & Time: March 22, 2025, 7:30 PM IST
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Umpires: Abhijeet Bengeri, Vinod Seshan
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Third Umpire: Jayaraman Madanagopal
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Match Referee: Prakash Bhatt
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Player of the Match: Krunal Pandya (RCB, 3/29)
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Result: RCB won by 7 wickets (with 22 balls remaining)
What Made This Match Special?
This match wasn’t just about the runs and wickets—it was about the stories. Virat Kohli playing his 400th T20 match was a milestone, celebrated by fans who’ve watched him grow from a young U19 star to a global cricket icon. Phil Salt’s explosive start for RCB, against his former team no less, added a layer of drama. Krunal Pandya’s match-defining spell showed why he’s such a valuable all-rounder, and Ajinkya Rahane’s fifty reminded everyone of his class.
The match also highlighted the evolving nature of T20 cricket. KKR’s powerplay was aggressive, but RCB’s response was even more so, showing how teams are pushing the boundaries of scoring rates. The dew factor played a role, making it tough for KKR’s bowlers to grip the ball, but RCB’s clinical chase proved they were the better side on the night.
Looking Ahead
For RCB, this win was the perfect start to their IPL 2025 campaign. With Kohli in form, Salt firing, and Pandya delivering, they look like a team to watch. KKR, however, will need to regroup. Their middle order needs to step up, and their bowlers will want to be sharper in the powerplay. With a long season ahead, both teams have plenty of time to fine-tune their game plans.
