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Indian Premier League 2025: KKR vs RCB Opener at Eden Gardens

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 begins with a thrilling showdown as Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) face Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at Eden Gardens. This marks the first time since 2008 that these teams clash in the season opener, a match that saw Brendon McCullum’s unforgettable 158-run blitz.

KKR Eyes Back-to-Back Titles, RCB Seeks First Glory

KKR enters the season as defending champions, aiming to join Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians as the only teams to secure consecutive IPL titles. Led by new captain Ajinkya Rahane, KKR looks to cement its dominance. Meanwhile, RCB, now under the leadership of Rajat Patidar, is hungry for its maiden IPL trophy. The number 18 holds special significance for RCB, as it aligns with Virat Kohli’s iconic jersey number, adding extra motivation to their campaign.

Weather Concerns for the IPL 2025 Opener

Rain could play spoilsport in Kolkata, with showers expected during the evening. A drizzle on the eve of the match already cut short the practice sessions, making conditions tricky for both teams.

Probable Playing XIs for KKR vs RCB

RCB’s Probable XI

• Openers: Virat Kohli, Phil Salt
• Middle Order: Devdutt Padikkal (Impact Player), Rajat Patidar (c), Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Tim David
• All-rounders: Krunal Pandya
• Bowlers: Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal, Suyash Sharma/Rasikh Dar Salam

KKR’s Probable XI

• Openers: Sunil Narine, Quinton de Kock (wk)
• Middle Order: Ajinkya Rahane (c), Venkatesh Iyer, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Rinku Singh
• All-rounders: Andre Russell, Ramandeep Singh
• Bowlers: Spencer Johnson, Vaibhav Arora, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakravarthy

Indian Premier League 2025: The Road Ahead

As IPL 2025 kicks off, fans can expect intense battles, unexpected upsets, and standout performances. Will KKR defend their title, or will RCB break their trophy drought? The journey starts at Eden Gardens—rain or shine!