IPL 2025: KKR vs RCB Match Preview and Playing XI
Exciting IPL 2025 Opener: KKR vs RCB
Match Preview: The inaugural match of the Indian Premier League 2025 (IPL 2025) will feature the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) squaring off against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on Saturday, March 22, at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
Starting the season with a victory is crucial, as it often influences the team's momentum throughout the tournament. Both teams are eager to kick off their campaigns on a positive note, especially since they will be led by new captains.
KKR has parted ways with their former captain Shreyas Iyer, who opted not to be retained. Despite efforts to bring him back during the mega auction, he was ultimately signed by Punjab Kings. Consequently, Ajinkya Rahane has been appointed as the new captain for KKR.
Meanwhile, RCB has also made a captaincy change after another unsuccessful title chase. They released Faf du Plessis and have now named Rajat Patidar as their new leader. Both captains will be aiming for a strong start to their leadership journeys.
As the teams prepare for this exciting opener, here are the playing elevens for both sides.
KKR vs RCB Playing XI – KKR's Lineup
While KKR would have preferred to keep their entire championship-winning squad intact, they have retained a significant portion of their core team. Although they lost key players like Shreyas Iyer, Phil Salt, and Mitchell Starc, they have successfully maintained most of the players who contributed to their previous success.
The three-time IPL champions have also strengthened their roster by acquiring notable players such as Quinton de Kock, Spencer Johnson, and Anrich Nortje. Here’s KKR's playing eleven for their opening match of the season:
Openers: Sunil Narine, Quinton de Kock (wk)
Middle-order: Ajinkya Rahane (c), Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Venkatesh Iyer, Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Ramandeep Singh
Bowlers: Harshit Rana, Varun Chakravarthy, Anrich Nortje
KKR vs RCB Playing XI – RCB's Lineup
RCB has significantly revamped their squad following another season without a title. Aside from Virat Kohli and Rajat Patidar, no other batsman from last season remains in the current lineup. They have enhanced their team with talented players like Phil Salt, Liam Livingstone, Tim David, and Krunal Pandya.
The Bengaluru franchise also boasts a strong bowling attack, thanks to the inclusion of seasoned bowlers such as Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood. Here’s RCB's playing eleven:
Openers: Phil Salt, Virat Kohli
Middle-order: Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (c), Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Tim David, Krunal Pandya
Bowlers: Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal