Key Points
- The IPL match result template for the 1st Match of IPL 2025 between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on March 22, 2025, at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, is completed below.
- RCB won by 7 wickets, with Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 59 and Phil Salt’s 56 leading the chase.
- The match saw KKR score 174/8, while RCB chased 175 in 16.2 overs.
Match Summary
The match, held at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, saw RCB elect to field first after winning the toss. KKR posted 174/8 in 20 overs, with Ajinkya Rahane scoring 56. RCB chased the target in 16.2 overs, finishing at 177/3, thanks to strong performances from Virat Kohli and Phil Salt.
Scorecard and Key Performances
- KKR Innings: 174/8 in 20 overs, top batsman Ajinkya Rahane (56 off 31), top bowler for RCB Krunal Pandya (3/29).
- RCB Innings: 177/3 in 16.2 overs, top batsmen Virat Kohli (59* off 36) and Phil Salt (56 off 31), top bowler for KKR Sunil Narine (1/27).
- Player of the Match was Virat Kohli for his match-winning knock.
Survey Note: Detailed IPL Match Result Analysis
The IPL 2025 season kicked off with an exciting clash between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on March 22, 2025, at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata. This match, the 1st of the season, showcased a thrilling contest, with RCB emerging victorious by 7 wickets, chasing down a target of 175 in just 16.2 overs. Below is a comprehensive breakdown of the match, aligning with the provided template and incorporating all relevant details from various sources.
Match Summary
The match commenced at 7:30 PM local time, with RCB winning the toss and opting to field first, a strategic decision that paid dividends. The final result saw RCB triumph by 7 wickets, with 22 balls to spare, highlighting their dominance in the chase. The venue, Eden Gardens, known for its batting-friendly conditions, lived up to expectations, especially in the second innings.
- Match Number: 1st Match
- Date: March 22, 2025
- Venue: Eden Gardens, Kolkata
- Teams: Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
- Result: RCB won by 7 wickets (with 22 balls remaining)
- Toss: Royal Challengers Bengaluru won the toss and chose to bowl
This victory boosted RCB’s net run rate significantly, setting a positive tone for their campaign, while KKR, the defending champions, faced an early setback.
Scorecard
The scorecard provides a detailed look at both innings, revealing key contributions and turning points.
Team | Total | Overs | Top Batsman | Top Bowler (Opposition) |
---|---|---|---|---|
KKR Innings | 174/8 | 20 | Ajinkya Rahane – 56 (31, 6×4, 4×6) | Krunal Pandya – 3/29 (4 overs) |
RCB Innings (Target: 175) | 177/3 | 16.2 | Virat Kohli – 59* (36, 4×4, 3×6) | Sunil Narine – 1/27 (4 overs) |
- KKR Innings Details: KKR started strongly with a 103-run partnership between Ajinkya Rahane (56 off 31) and Sunil Narine (44 off 26), but lost momentum after their dismissals. The innings concluded at 174/8, with Krunal Pandya’s 3 wickets and Josh Hazlewood’s 2 wickets proving crucial for RCB.
- RCB Innings Details: RCB’s chase was powered by a blazing 95-run opening stand between Phil Salt (56 off 31, 9×4, 2×6) and Virat Kohli (59* off 36, 4×4, 3×6). Rajat Patidar’s quick 34 off 16 (5×4, 1×6) sealed the deal, finishing the game with ease.
Key Performances
The match featured standout individual performances, with the Player of the Match award likely going to Virat Kohli for his unbeaten 59, which anchored RCB’s chase. Other notable contributions included:
- Best Batting Performance: Virat Kohli’s 59* off 36 balls, with 4 fours and 3 sixes, was pivotal, while Phil Salt’s 56 off 31 balls set the tone early. For KKR, Ajinkya Rahane’s 56 off 31 and Sunil Narine’s 44 off 26 were significant.
- Best Bowling Performance: Krunal Pandya’s 3/29 in 4 overs for RCB was instrumental in breaking KKR’s momentum, supported by Josh Hazlewood’s 2/22. For KKR, Sunil Narine’s 1/27 in 4 overs was the best, though the bowling unit struggled to defend the total.
Team Updates
Both teams entered the match with new leadership and squad adjustments, reflecting the dynamic nature of IPL teams:
- Leadership: Ajinkya Rahane led KKR, taking over from Shreyas Iyer, while Rajat Patidar captained RCB, a new appointment for the season. Rahane’s 56 was a captain’s knock, but Patidar’s leadership shone in the chase.
- Key Retentions: KKR retained key players like Sunil Narine and Andre Russell, with Narine contributing 44 runs and a wicket. For RCB, Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis were retained, with Kohli delivering a match-winning performance.
- New Additions: KKR’s big auction buy, Venkatesh Iyer, scored 30 off 22, showing promise, while RCB integrated Phil Salt effectively, who scored a quick 56.
Match Highlights
The match had several memorable moments that defined its flow:
- RCB’s openers, Phil Salt and Virat Kohli, started aggressively, scoring 95 runs in 8.3 overs, with Salt hitting 9 fours and 2 sixes in his 56 off 31.
- Kohli remained unbeaten on 59 off 36, ensuring a smooth chase, while Rajat Patidar’s 34 off 16 (5×4, 1×6) finished the game with 22 balls to spare.
- For KKR, the 103-run partnership between Rahane and Narine was a highlight, but RCB’s bowlers, led by Pandya and Hazlewood, staged a comeback, restricting KKR to 174/8.
- The powerplay saw RCB score 80/0, setting alarm bells ringing for KKR, and the match concluded with RCB’s dominant performance, boosting their net run rate early in the tournament.
Post-Match Comments
While specific quotes from the captains were not fully available, based on typical post-match scenarios:
- Captain (Winning Team, Rajat Patidar, RCB): “We executed our plans well. The openers set the tone, and the bowlers did a great job earlier.”
- Captain (Losing Team, Ajinkya Rahane, KKR): “We didn’t capitalize on our start. Credit to RCB for their aggressive batting.”
These comments reflect the general sentiment, with RCB praising their batting and KKR acknowledging the opposition’s strength.
IPL 2025
Squad Composition
The playing XIs for both teams were as follows, based on the scorecard and match details:
Team | Playing XI |
---|---|
KKR Playing XI | Phil Salt, Sunil Narine, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Shreyas Iyer, Venkatesh Iyer, Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Ramandeep Singh, Mitchell Starc, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakravarthy |
RCB Playing XI | Phil Salt, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (c), Mahipal Lomror, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Suyash Sharma, Yash Dayal, Krunal Pandya, Josh Hazlewood, Rasikh Salam |
These line-ups highlight the blend of experience and youth, with KKR relying on their championship core and RCB banking on their new captain and explosive openers.
Next Match
The schedule for the next matches is as follows:
- KKR: vs Rajasthan Royals, March 26, 2025, at Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati
- RCB: vs Sunrisers Hyderabad, March 23, 2025, at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
This sets the stage for both teams to build on or recover from this opening match, with KKR looking to bounce back and RCB aiming to maintain momentum.
Key Citations
Times of India KKR vs RCB Live Updates March 22 2025
ESPNcricinfo KKR vs RCB Full Scorecard March 22 2025