IPL 2025’s Explosive Start: KKR vs RCB - Kolkata Crushes Bengaluru to Showcase Their Might
Introduction
The new IPL season has kicked off, and the very first match was enough to get your heart racing. On March 22, 2025, the clash between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at Kolkata’s iconic Eden Gardens was nothing short of a festival for cricket fans. Whenever these two teams face off, there’s a special kind of magic on the field. This time, KKR thrashed RCB by 27 runs, marking a sensational start to the tournament. Over 60,000 fans were screaming their lungs out at Eden Gardens, while millions tuned in on TV to catch the thrill. Shah Rukh Khan was there too, cheering from the stands for his team. In this blog, I’m going to break down every detail of this match—from the toss to the final ball, the players’ efforts to the strategies. Plus, we’ll dive into Eden’s history, the fans’ excitement, and so much more. So, buckle up—this journey’s going to be a blast!
Toss and Strategy
Who doesn’t know about the Eden Gardens pitch? It’s a paradise for batters, but come evening, the dew makes life tough for bowlers. The toss was a big deal in this match. RCB’s captain, Rajat Patidar, flipped the coin and won it. He opted to bowl first, figuring the dew would make batting easier in the second innings. His plan was to restrict KKR to a low score and chase it down comfortably later. On the other hand, KKR’s captain, Ajinkya Rahane, was thrilled to bat first. His goal was to post a massive total and put RCB under pressure.
Before the match began, both teams had their game plans locked in. KKR wanted an explosive start from their opening pair, Quinton de Kock and Sunil Narine. Rahane said, “We need to score quickly in the powerplay to set up pressure for their bowlers later.” RCB, meanwhile, banked on their bowlers—Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood—to strike early. Patidar explained, “We’ll build pressure upfront and then use the dew to our advantage.” It was all set to see who’d come out on top on the field.
KKR’s Batting: From a Solid Foundation to an Explosive Finish
KKR’s innings kicked off with Quinton de Kock and Sunil Narine at the crease. De Kock, playing for KKR this season, showed his class right from the first over. He smashed two cover drives off Josh Hazlewood, heating up the atmosphere. Narine wasn’t far behind either. His lofted shots and square cuts had the fans jumping in excitement. In the first 6 overs, KKR racked up 55 runs without losing a wicket. It was the kind of start that had RCB’s camp feeling the jitters.
But in the seventh over, Bhuvneshwar Kumar worked his magic. His inswinger clean-bowled de Kock, who walked back after scoring 45. Then came captain Rahane. He played cautiously, hitting some decent shots, but a mix-up saw him run out for 25. The score was 90/2. That’s when Venkatesh Iyer and Rinku Singh took charge. Venkatesh showcased his brilliant form, tearing into the bowling. His cut shots and sixes over long-on had Eden Gardens buzzing. Rinku brought the fireworks in the end. Smashing two sixes in an over, he pushed the score to 185/4. Venkatesh finished unbeaten on 58*, and Rinku on 32*.
This innings was a display of KKR’s strength. De Kock and Narine laid the foundation, Venkatesh brought stability in the middle, and Rinku finished with a bang. A score of 185 on Eden’s pitch was hefty, and it wasn’t going to be an easy chase for RCB.
RCB’s Bowling: Strong Start, Weak Finish
RCB’s bowling attack began with Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood. Bhuvneshwar troubled de Kock with his swing and got him out, giving RCB their first breakthrough. Hazlewood kept a tight line too, stopping Narine from going big. For the first 10 overs, RCB looked in control. Yash Dayal chipped in by dismissing Rahane, shaking KKR a bit. At that point, the score was 90/2, and it seemed like RCB could claw their way back.
But things shifted in the middle overs. Venkatesh and Rinku targeted RCB’s bowlers. Especially in the death overs, the dew made it tough to grip the ball. Hazlewood and Dayal ended up leaking runs. Bhuvneshwar was the standout, finishing with 2 wickets for 32 runs in his 4 overs. Patidar tried tweaking the strategy, but the dew threw a wrench in their plans. Overall, RCB’s bowling had bite early on but lost its sting toward the end.
RCB’s Batting: Kohli’s Grit, Middle Order’s Collapse
Chasing 186, RCB opened with Faf du Plessis and Virat Kohli. They started cautiously for the first few overs. Du Plessis cracked two boundaries off Vaibhav Arora, but Sunil Narine struck in the final powerplay over, sending him back for 18. Kohli then paired up with Glenn Maxwell to push the innings forward. Kohli was in his groove—his cover drives and lofted shots hinted at a possible RCB comeback. The score reached 70/1.
But in the 12th over, Varun Chakravarthy got Maxwell out for 28. That’s when RCB’s middle order fell apart. Dinesh Karthik scored 12, Rajat Patidar made 15, and Cameron Green managed just 8—all cheaply dismissed. Kohli held one end strong, scoring 65 with 6 fours and 2 sixes. But he got no support from the other end. In the last 3 overs, RCB needed 45 runs. Andre Russell bowled the final over, conceding just 4 runs and taking 2 wickets, sealing RCB’s fate. Their innings wrapped up at 158 in 18.4 overs.
Kohli showed incredible fight, but the middle order’s failure let RCB down again. It was the same old story—Kohli battling alone while the rest couldn’t step up.
KKR’s Bowling: Chakravarthy and Russell Shine
KKR’s bowling was led by Varun Chakravarthy, who emerged as the hero. His mystery spin bamboozled RCB’s batters. He picked up 3 wickets for 25 runs in 4 overs, dismissing Maxwell and Karthik. Sunil Narine chipped in with 2 wickets, applying pressure early on. But the real game-changer was Andre Russell. His pace and pinpoint yorkers in the death overs crushed RCB’s hopes. That final over—4 runs and 2 wickets—was the nail in the coffin.
Vaibhav Arora supported well too. KKR’s bowling unit was cohesive, with every bowler playing their part perfectly. They never let RCB take control, proving just how strong this team is this season.
Man of the Match: Venkatesh Iyer
Venkatesh Iyer was named Man of the Match for his unbeaten 58. His knock gave KKR a solid total and laid the groundwork for the win. After the game, Venkatesh said, “Playing at Eden Gardens is always special. The fans’ energy makes scoring runs easier. The team vibe is amazing, and we want to keep this going.” His innings had the perfect mix of patience and aggression.
Key Moments to Remember
- De Kock’s Blazing Start: 55 runs in the first 6 overs gave KKR a rock-solid base.
- Kohli’s Fifty: Scoring 65, Kohli kept hopes alive, but his team couldn’t follow through.
- Middle Order Collapse: RCB lost 4 wickets between the 12th and 15th overs, a turning point in their defeat.
- Russell’s Final Over: Just 4 runs and 2 wickets—this moment swung the game firmly to KKR.
Eden Gardens: History and Magic
Eden Gardens is called the Mecca of cricket for a reason. It’s not just a stadium—it’s an emotion. Built in 1864, it’s India’s oldest cricket ground. The crowd’s passion here inspires every player. KKR has a stellar record at this venue in the IPL. The first-ever IPL match was played here in 2008, and since then, it’s witnessed countless unforgettable moments.
This time, Eden’s magic worked again. The roar of 60,000 fans made the atmosphere electric. Shah Rukh Khan was spotted cheering in the stands. The dew made bowling tough in the second innings—a classic Eden trait. This ground has always favored batters, and this match was no exception.
Player Profiles: Stars Who Shone
- Venkatesh Iyer: This young batter proved he can shine on the big stage. His unbeaten 58 steered KKR to victory. He was in top form last season too, and he’s carried that momentum here.
- Virat Kohli: Even in defeat, Kohli’s spirit was unmissable. Scoring 65, he showed he’s still RCB’s backbone. His shot timing and fielding energy were as brilliant as ever.
- Varun Chakravarthy: The mystery spinner trapped RCB in his web. His 3 wickets turned the game in the middle overs.
- Andre Russell: The king of death overs. His bowling and fitness left RCB stunned.
Strategy Breakdown: What Worked, What Didn’t
KKR’s strategy was clear—blast off in the powerplay and explode at the end. De Kock and Narine delivered the start, a bit of caution in the middle kept things steady, and Rinku provided the finishing fireworks. Using Chakravarthy and Russell at the right times in bowling was spot-on.
RCB aimed to bowl first and build pressure. It worked initially, but the dew threw their bowlers off. In batting, their over-reliance on Kohli was their downfall. Strengthening the middle order is their biggest need. Choosing to bowl first after winning the toss wasn’t a bad call, but they couldn’t execute it well.
Fans’ Passion and Social Media Buzz
The passion at Eden Gardens was unreal. Every boundary and six had the stadium roaring. Shah Rukh Khan’s dancing video went viral on social media. Fans showered KKR with praise. One wrote, “KKR showed they’re ready to win the title this time.” RCB fans, though, were disappointed. Someone posted, “How much can Kohli do alone? The middle order should be ashamed.”
Venkatesh and Russell got heaps of love online. Some joked, “RCB’s middle order got lost somewhere in Eden.” The match trended on Twitter, and the fans’ reactions made it even more memorable.
Strengths and Weaknesses of Both Teams
- KKR:
- Strengths: Strong batting lineup and versatile bowling.
- Weaknesses: Slightly slow in the middle overs.
- RCB:
- Strengths: Stars like Kohli and Maxwell.
- Weaknesses: Unstable middle order and death-over bowling.
The Road Ahead
This win is a fantastic start for KKR. Their next challenge is Mumbai Indians, where they’ll aim to keep this momentum. RCB needs to work on their flaws. They face Delhi Capitals next and must tweak their middle order.
Conclusion
This match was a blockbuster opener for IPL 2025. KKR flexed their muscles, beating RCB and making a grand entry into the tournament. The magic of Eden Gardens, the players’ passion, and the fans’ enthusiasm—everything made this game special. Will KKR lift the trophy this time? Only time will tell. For now, enjoy this victory and share your thoughts in the comments. This cricket festival has just begun, so gear up and have fun!
