RCB vs KKR IPL 2025: Kohli, Salt Shine in 7-Wicket Victory
The much-anticipated Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season kicked off with an electrifying encounter as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) secured a dominant seven-wicket victory over defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). The match saw stellar performances from Virat Kohli and Phil Salt, as RCB comfortably chased down a target of 175 with 22 balls to spare.
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| Virat Kohli and Phil Salt lead Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a dominant 7-wicket victory over Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2025 opener.@IE |
RCB’s Perfect Start to IPL 2025
With the first IPL after
the mega auction bringing fresh alliances and expectations, RCB’s revamped
squad proved its strength from the outset. Their strategic acquisitions played
a crucial role in securing a comprehensive win. While Josh Hazlewood set the
tone with the ball, Phil Salt and Virat Kohli dominated the chase to get RCB
off to a flying start in the tournament.
Hazlewood’s Impact in Powerplay and Death Overs
Returning to RCB after
missing the previous season, Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood immediately
showcased his value. The tall fast bowler extracted extra bounce from the
surface, making life difficult for KKR’s top order. In his first over, he had
Quinton de Kock dropped but dismissed him two balls later, setting the tone for
the innings.
Although Sunil Narine and Ajinkya Rahane attempted to counter-attack, Hazlewood’s disciplined bowling restricted KKR’s progress, finishing with figures of 4-0-22-1. His ability to control both the powerplay and the death overs ensured KKR could not capitalize on their fast start.
Rahane and Narine’s Explosive Partnership
Despite early setbacks,
KKR found momentum through an aggressive 98-run stand between Ajinkya Rahane
and Sunil Narine. Rahane, often questioned about his T20 credentials, silenced
critics with a high-intent innings, accumulating 56 runs off just 34 balls. He
predominantly targeted the leg side, capitalizing on RCB’s strategy of feeding
him straight deliveries.
Sunil Narine initially struggled with the variable bounce but soon found his rhythm. His onslaught against former teammate Suyash Sharma was a key moment in the match, as he took 22 runs off the ninth over. However, just when KKR looked poised for a massive total, RCB found a breakthrough that shifted the game in their favor.
Krunal Pandya Leads RCB’s Bowling Comeback
At 107/1 in the 10th
over, KKR seemed to be in control. However, RCB’s all-rounder Krunal Pandya
turned the game around with a crafty spell. He removed Narine, who miscued a
shot due to extra bounce, and then went on to dismiss Rahane and Venkatesh Iyer
in successive overs.
Krunal’s ability to use subtle variations in pace proved crucial as RCB slowed down KKR’s scoring rate. His dismissal of Rinku Singh further dented KKR’s hopes of a strong finish. With Andre Russell walking in, RCB introduced Suyash Sharma’s leg-spin—a strategic masterstroke.
Suyash Sharma Traps Russell Yet Again
Andre Russell, known for
his destructive batting, continued his struggles against leg-spinners. Since
2018, he has averaged just 13.41 against the wrong’un, and Suyash Sharma once
again exposed this weakness. Russell misread a googly and lost his middle stump,
a massive blow for KKR.
From 107/1, KKR slumped to 174/8, managing only 23 runs in the last four overs as Hazlewood and Yash Dayal effectively used short-pitched bowling to stifle the batters.
Phil Salt’s Revenge Against KKR
Phil Salt, who played a
key role in KKR’s title-winning campaign last season, came back to haunt his
former team. Opening the chase, he made an instant impact by smashing the first
ball for four, setting the tone for an aggressive approach. His 56 off 31
balls, including a brutal attack on Varun Chakravarthy, ensured RCB stayed
ahead of the required rate.
His partnership with Virat Kohli during the powerplay left KKR struggling for answers. By the time Chakravarthy finally dismissed Salt, RCB had already amassed 95 runs in just 8.3 overs, reducing the asking rate to below seven.
Kohli’s Finishing Touch & Captain Patidar’s Cameo
Virat Kohli, a mainstay
at RCB, played a calculated yet aggressive knock, finishing unbeaten on 59 off
36 deliveries. Unlike previous seasons where he often slowed down during
chases, Kohli kept the momentum going, ensuring RCB finished with a strong net
run rate boost.
Newly appointed captain
Rajat Patidar also played a crucial role, smashing 34 off just 16 balls. His
aggressive stroke play allowed RCB to finish the chase in 16.2 overs, handing
them a dominant victory to start their IPL 2025 campaign.
Key Takeaways from RCB vs KKR, IPL 2025
- Josh Hazlewood’s comeback: His ability to bowl with pace and accuracy in
both powerplay and death overs was instrumental in RCB’s win.
- Rahane’s resurgence: Despite the loss, Ajinkya Rahane’s aggressive
fifty was a positive sign for KKR.
- Krunal Pandya’s spin magic: His three crucial wickets turned the tide in
RCB’s favor.
- Phil Salt’s statement innings: The former KKR star proved why letting him go
was a mistake.
- Virat Kohli’s intent: Not only did he anchor the chase, but he also
maintained an aggressive strike rate to boost RCB’s net run rate.
Final Thoughts
Royal Challengers
Bengaluru’s convincing victory against Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL 2025
opener sends a strong message to the rest of the teams. With Hazlewood’s
bowling prowess, Krunal’s all-round abilities, and a destructive top order
featuring Kohli and Salt, RCB looks like a serious contender this season.
For KKR, while their
middle order failed to capitalize, Rahane and Narine’s partnership provided a
glimpse of their batting potential. However, they will need to address their
finishing issues and Russell’s struggles against spin moving forward.
Stay tuned for more IPL
2025 action as the tournament unfolds with more high-octane clashes!
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