The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 kicks off with an exciting match between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. Both teams have new captains this season, adding an extra layer of excitement to the tournament opener. The game is set to begin at 7:30 PM IST on Saturday, March 22, 2025. Here’s everything you need to know about the predicted playing XI, team news, and updates.
Match Details
- Match: KKR vs RCB, IPL 2025 Opening Match
- Date: Saturday, March 22, 2025
- Time: 7:30 PM IST
- Venue: Eden Gardens, Kolkata
KKR vs RCB Head-to-Head Record
Before diving into the playing XI, let’s look at how these two teams have performed against each other in past IPL seasons:
- Total Matches Played: 34
- KKR Wins: 20
- RCB Wins: 14
KKR vs RCB Predicted Playing 11
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) Predicted XI
- Ajinkya Rahane (Captain)
- Venkatesh Iyer (Vice-Captain)
- Quinton de Kock (Wicket-keeper)
- Rinku Singh
- Andre Russell
- Sunil Narine
- Moeen Ali
- Varun Chakravarthy
- Anrich Nortje
- Umran Malik
- Mayank Markande
Impact Players: Rovman Powell, Ramandeep Singh, Vaibhav Arora, Spencer Johnson
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) Predicted XI
- Virat Kohli
- Phil Salt
- Rajat Patidar (Captain)
- Krunal Pandya
- Jitesh Sharma (Wicket-keeper)
- Liam Livingstone
- Tim David
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar
- Yash Dayal
- Josh Hazlewood
- Suyash Sharma
Impact Players: Devdutt Padikkal, Swastik Chikara, Manoj Bhandage
IPL 2025: What to Expect
KKR enters the season as the defending champions, having won the IPL 2024 final against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Meanwhile, RCB is eager to start strong with their new captain, Rajat Patidar. Both teams boast strong squads, with a mix of experienced players and young talent.
BCCI Lifts Saliva Ban for Bowlers
One of the key rule changes this season is the removal of the COVID-era ban on using saliva to shine the ball. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has made this decision independently of the International Cricket Council (ICC), allowing bowlers to use saliva again in IPL 2025.
The IPL 2025 opener between KKR and RCB promises to be an exciting clash with new captains, strong squads, and fresh rule changes. Fans can expect an action-packed game as both teams aim for a strong start to the season. Stay tuned for live updates, score details, and more throughout the match.
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