RCB registered a commanding victory over defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL 2025 campaign opener in Kolkata on Saturday, March 22. RCB chasing 175 to win tracked down the target in just 16.2 overs and won the match with seven wickets in hand.
RCB did not put a foot wrong in the match from the back half of the KKR innings. From the moment, the partnership between Ajinkya Rahane and Sunil Narine was broken, they did not allow the Knight Riders to make a comeback into the game.
In the end, KKR posted 174/8 in their 20 overs when they looked good to finish beyond 220 at one stage. The comeback was first started by the RCB spinners who brought their team back into the game. Josh Hazlewood playing his part as well taking 2/22.
ADVERTISEMENT
Loading...
KKR Succumb To Phil Salt's Assault Inside The Powerplay
Set to chase 175, Phil Salt (56 off 31) gave RCB a brilliant start as he scored his seventh IPL fifty and one that counted most against his former IPL franchise. The chase revolved around Virat Kohli who played an unbeaten knock of 59 off 36 balls.
Rajat Patidar played a timely cameo walking out to bat at number four scoring 34 off just 16 balls. Liam Livingstone then played the winning shot as RCB made a statement with their opening win of the season.
They once again built their team around batters and they did not disappoint in the opening encounter. The bowlers did their job as they brought the team back into the game in the second half of KKR's innings.
For KKR, the defending champions, they will need to think long and hard on how they want to go ahead from here on. But for the moment, the fans at Eden Gardens witnessed a special knock from Virat Kohli which resulted in the team's opening win of the season. The win will boost the team's NRR which often becomes a deciding factor by the end of the season.
"Probably the partnership (talking about the most pleasing thing with the bat), we (Kohli and I) haven't batted much together and to go out there and put a partnership was really pleasing. It is a ground I know and I know these guys (KKR) very well. Yes, it did (the ball came on nicely in the second innings) and you just needed to stand still and hit the ball, it does make a difference. That is what we spoke about as a batting group, very pleased with the outcome" Salt said after powering RCB to a win against his former franchise.
More About KKR vs RCB Updates
