KKRvsRCB Predictions Match 1 IPL 2025
The Indian Premier League (IPL 2025) season is set to commence on March 22, 2025, with the defending champions, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), hosting the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. Expect a jam-packed crowd at the Mecca of cricket, as it is a saturday. We expect the 18th official IPL edition is going to be a berserk league. Fans are going in for loads and loads of surprises, opening event and they are going to miss MS Dhoni, and Rohit Sharma at the inauguration. Nonetheless, King Kohli will be playing that day and he will compensate for all the IPL fans.
The following IPL 2025 tips: KKRvsRCB match prediction was done by editor: ANAND SHARMA
Tips for SRHvsRR Match 2 IPL predictions: Click here
Tips for CSKvsMI Match 3 IPL predictions: Click here
KKRvsRCB 1st Match IPL 2025 Information:
- Date & Time: March 22, 2025, at 7:30 PM IST
- Venue: Eden Gardens, Kolkata
- TV Broadcast: Star Sports Channels
- Live Streaming: Jio hotstar App and website
KKRvsRCB 1st IPL Match Preview
KKR are the defending champions led by Ajinkya Rahane, as they will miss their ex-captain Shreyas Iyer this season and also their mentor Gautam Gambhir who is on national duties and because of conflict of interest can’t be under IPL duties. RCB, led by new captain Rajat Patidar, seeks to secure their maiden IPL title. It’s a revamped side except only 3-4 old players. Virat and co feels RCB looks more balanced and has one of the finest squads ever in their lucky 18th edition. Both teams have a blend of experienced internationals and promising young talents, setting the stage for a thrilling opener.
Head-to-Head Record for KKRvsRCB
Historically, KKR and RCB have faced each other 34 times in the IPL. KKR has secured 20 victories, while RCB has won 14 matches. At Eden Gardens, KKR has been dominant, winning 8 out of 12 encounters against RCB.
Weather Conditions at Eden Gardens on 22nd march 2025
Accuweather portal predicts at Eden Gardens on 22nd March 2025, the weather will be between 23 -36 degrees. Will be humid but there will be breeze, no chances of dew are expected as of now.
Pitch Report of Eden Gardens for 1st match of IPL 2025
Eden Gardens is known being batting friendly wicket but assist well for spinners. One interesting trivia here for you:
Highest individual score here is by Rajat Patidar, 112* of just 54 balls and he is going to lead the RCB franchise for the first time.
Best bowling figures at this venue are by Sunil Narine 5/19. Both of them will be in live action this 22nd march 2025.
- Average 1st Innings score: 160
- Highest score: 235/4
Toss Prediction
Captains winning the toss at Eden Gardens often prefer to chase, considering factors like dew in evening matches, which can make bowling changes a headache for the captain. Spinners will feel it hard to grip the ball and batsmen usually feel the ball properly coming on to the bat during the 2nd Innings. If you have good spin players in your side, and batting 2nd, you can secure a straight win.
- Matches played: 87
- Matches won batting first: 36
- Matches win batting second: 51
Anand Sharma’s tip: Unless you have the best bowlers in the world, win the toss and elect to bowl first.
Winner Prediction and Potential Man of the Match:
Although KKR is stepping in as the Champions for the 1st match of IPL 2025, Virat Kohli with Rajat Patidar is coming with renewed squad and with very much important task to set right tone from match 1. RCB might go away with a win in this 1st match of the season. RCB is expected to have a turn around this season with new captain and new strategies. Eden Gardens will be a run galore right from the 1st match similar to the memories of IPL 2008 season.
We predict Virat Kohli will shine in the first match itself, it can be a memorable season for Kohli and for RCB, and if you don’t know yet, then it’s the 18th season of IPL.
Have you read our article on why Virat Kohli is among the top 10 players IPL players of all time? Virat is ranked at top 3 position among the IPL legends, by Anand Sharma (editor, CBR). Where do you rank Virat at? do you agree with our editor, check here.
KKRvsRCB 1st Match Playing XI
Kolkata Knight Riders Playing XI
Openers:
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk): 13 matches, 289 runs at 138 strike rate as opener
- Sunil Narine: IPL 2024, he played 15 matches, 488 runs at 180.74 strike rate as opener. He secured MVP award for 3 times which is the highest by any IPL player. He took 17 wickets in IPL 2024, and overall 180 wickets in IPL with 6.75 economy rate one of the best economies by an IPL bowler.
Record Altert: Gurbaz and Sunil Narine scored 44-run partnership in just 3.2 overs in the qualifier 1 in IPL 2024 playoffs against SRH team, be careful with these duo.
Middle Order:
- Ajinkya Rahane (c): Gained form and leading side for first time, he scored 568 runs at a strike rate of 172 is incredible.
- Venkatesh Iyer: Venkatesh Iyer scored 370 runs at a strike rate of close to 160, with 4 half-centuries in IPL 2024 season.
Finishers:
- Rinku Singh: Rinku scores at a strike rate of 190* in death overs. He once chased down 29 runs scoring 5 consecutive sixes beware of this pocket dynamite.
- Andre Russell: Dre Russ bats at 2008 strike rate in between 16-20 overs, he once scored 52 sixes in a single season for KKR in 2019, he is a monster! Also in IPL 2024, he took 19 wickets which is his IPL career highest in a season.
- Ramandeep Singh: Ramandeep scores at 200* strike rate in IPL 2024, he will continue his form and he won the catch of the season award in IPL 2024, RCB batters need to be careful out there, as Raman is a Jonty in his own style!
Spinners:
- Varun Chakravarthy: Varun took 21 wickets in IPL 2024, second highest wicket taker of last year. His consistent and spellbound performance got him a spot in Champions Trophy too.
Fast Bowlers:
- Vaibhav Arora: Vaibhav is a very young talent, who took 11 wickets, but the major impact is getting Travis head out for a duck in IPL 2024 final match secured a dominant position in the match right away.
- Harshit Rana: Harshit secured 19 wickets just in his 3rd season with KKR and also in IPL. He is currently all-format player for the national team.
- Spencer Johnson: Spencer is a left-arm pacer and death overs specialist, he hasn’t yet found his foot in the IPL but he was instrumental in Brisbane heat winning campaign in BBL 2023-24 season earning him national call up and secured his place in T20Is for Australia.
Impact Players:
A Raghuvanshi, M Pandey, A Roy and M Markande
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Playing XI
Openers:
- Virat Kohli: Highest IPL run scorer and coming off from a champions trophy win, Kohli will be very positive, he bats at 135 strike rate coming in as opener, but last season IPL 2025, he batted with 155* strike rate. Beware of King Kohli this season, it is 18th edition.
- Phil Salt (wk): Phil Salt is the main reason for good start for KKR last season, as an opener he bats at 185* strike rate and he is so consistent with 4 half-centuries in IPL 2024.
Middle Order
- Rajat Patidar (c): With new responsibilities as Captain, played at a strike of 177 coming in no.3 and he scored 5 half-centuries and 33 sixes in IPL 2024. He is very consistent and street smart cricketer.
- Jitesh Sharma: Jitesh Sharma is a very good middle-order batsmen who can make sure there is flow of runs in the middle over and experienced playing with Punjab Kings in last 3 seasons. He scores at a strike rate of 150 in death overs.
- Krunal Pandya: Krunal might be the only left hander in the RCB XI, he can get the score board going in the middle overs, although he is currently out of touch with the bat as a spinner he is very lethal. He holds one end with just 7.37 economy and gives important break throughs always.
Finishers:
- Liam Livingstone: Liam livingstone is a specialist finisher, with RCB at Chinnaswamy he is going to create a havoc of sixes. He bats at a strike rate of 165* in death overs. Also, he is very good part-time spinner, who can get some quick overs through from one end.
- Tim David: Tim David is a monster in death overs, especially 17-20 overs, he can strike at 225*. He along with livingstone could bring some unbelievable scores in the death overs.
Fast Bowlers:
- Yash Dayal: Yash secured 15 wickets in IPL 2024, with 9 economy rate, for those who know Chinnaswamy stadium lengths, it is one of the best economy rates. Yash is a wonderful left-arm fast bowler and expert with RCB home venue.
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar: First bowler to win purple caps consecutively, and he is the leading wicket taker of power play. Overall he amassed 152 wickets in 142 matches at an economy of 7*. The Swing king is the new edition to the RCB franchise and fans have high hopes on this legend.
- Josh Hazlewood: Josh’s best IPL season is with RCB in 2022 where he secured 20 wickets in a single season, he is very economical at 8 runs per over and will be a pretty lethal in death overs along with Yash Dayal.
Spinners:
- Suyash Sharma: Suyash is a potential leg-spinner would be very helpful in Chinnaswamy conditions just like how Chahal used to be. The economy might be on higher side, but it will bring the much needed wickets for the RCB team. Expecting Suyash to have a good season and cement his position in the RCB XI.
Impact Players:
Rasikh Dar, Swapnil Singh and Devdutt Padikkal
Parimatch odds for RCBvsKKR match
We back our stocks on royal challengers Bengaluru, we believe this could be their turn around year. We are backing RCB at 1.90 with parimatch odds. Check out parimatch odds for the 1st match and their pre-match events here.
The bookmaker offers live betting events during the match and even offer live streaming for IPL 2025 season. Don’t miss the live streaming and live betting side by side there. If you are comfortable with App, for android users, the bookmaker have an APK file that helps you to install and play on the go on the IPL match 1, on 22nd March 2025.
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This post was written by Anand Sharma