The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 seasons close with a blockbuster clash between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at the Eden Garden on 22 March. The match brings back a prestigious and historical rival, as these two teams won the first game of IPL for the first time.
After the franchise released IPL-winning captain Shreyas Iyer, now Ajinkya will play this side under the leadership of Rahane. However, the management was successful in maintaining its main squad and achieving similar replacement for them.
Historically, in the head-to-head record, Kolkata has taken a slight lead over the franchise in Bengaluru with 21 wins in 35 matches. In particular, an orange warning for rain in Kolkata can disrupt the weather opener. If the weather is fine, fans will expect a high scoring confrontation between the two teams.
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Here Kolkata Knight Riders have the best XI Royal Challengers for IPL 2025 opener against Bangalore:
Opener – Quinton de Kock (wicket -keeper), Sunil Narin
KKR will start its campaign with Quinton de Kock with a strong opening pair, which will include Sunil Narin at the top. In 2024, his title winning season was well supported by his disastrous openers, with Narin and Phil Salt Sewi scored 559 runs in 12 innings, the third best tally of the season. Narin was impressive, scoring 488 runs at a strike rate of 180, however, not in the squad with salt, Dey Coke is expected to shake a head on Rahmanullah Gurbaz.
The South African keeper-Better was a major purchase for KKR in the 2025 auction, but a disappointing IPL with the Lucknow franchise coming out of 2024, where he was scoring just 250 runs in 11 matches. He will be eager to open with women. Along with struggling for Gurbaz consistency, De Kock is a preferred wicketkeeper-opener, which makes this left-handed pair an important factor in their title defense.
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Middle-Order: Ajinkya Rahane (captain), Venkatesh Iyer, Rinku Singh
The newly appointed captain, Ajinkya Rahane is ready to take the position of number 3. While he has historically fought against spin, his recent Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) Form – where he was the highest scorer – shows his good signs, anchoring the innings while maintaining an aggressive approach. His smart batting will act as a bridge between openers and middle order and will help in cruise through mid -over.
Venkatesh Iyer, the biggest purchase of KKR at the auction, will be another major member of this middle order. After scoring 370 runs at an average of 46.25 in IPL 2024, he was one of the top artists of KKR and is now named Vice-Quality. His ability to deal with both speed and spin makes him a reliable batsman at number 4.
If the side batting protests against using the impact player, Rinku Singh may have to bat a little more at number 5. With a strike rate of 182.1 and less dot-ball percentage than Andre Russell, Rinku's ability to rotate and absorb under pressure makes him a valuable player for this line-up.
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All-rounders: Andre Russell, Ramandeep Singh
Knight riders will rely very much on shelling Andre Russell And when he takes Ramandeep Singh to RCB. Both are intact in front of the mega auction, adding balance to the lower middle order of KKR.
A stallwart for the franchise since 2014, Russell is one of the most devastating finishers in the League. The INR was maintained for 12 crores, the West Indies all-rounder has consecutively distributed with his six-heat abilities and easy bowling. His strike rate of 175.91 in the history of IPL reflects his dominance, especially in the death over (16-20), where he has taken 1,324 runs to 182.1 to 100 balls per 100 balls. Last season, experienced scored 222 runs and took 19 wickets in 15 matches.
On the other hand, Ramandip Singh, a promising all -rounder from Punjab, will provide the necessary depth. The right hand -handed IPL was 2024, scoring 125 runs in nine innings at the strike rate of 201.61. His ability to contribute with both bat and ball makes him a valuable property.
Bowler: Harshit Rana, Spencer Johnson, Vaibhav Arora, Varun Chakravaradhi
The side has put a strong bowling attack together. KKR will once again show the same performance as the previous season, handling the speed duties, leading the spin department with veteran Varun Chakraborty, Sunil Narin and Harshit Rana, Vaibhav Arora, and Spencer Johnson.
Varun has been a match winner for KKR, who took 21 wickets in IPL 2024 in the 8.04 economy. His ability to cheat batsmen with his diversities makes him an important player. Rana has also become an important member, who is taking 19 wickets in the 9.08 economy in the previous season. His performance inspired him to get his first national call-up and make his debut in all three formats.
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Meanwhile, Arora, who generates swing with a new ball, will take 11 wickets in IPL 2024 and expect an initial wicket. Eric Nortze is struggling for fitness, Spencer Johnson will come as a foreign pacer. The Australian has been spectacular in the shortest format of the left-arms quick game.
KKR's best XI that can beat RCB in match number 1 of IPL 2025:
Quinton de Kok (wicket-keeper), Sunil Narin, Ajinkya Rahane (captain), Venkatesh Iyer, Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Rampandip Singh, Harshit Rana, Spencer Johnson, Vibahhav Arora, Varun Chakravarthi.
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