IPL 2025 Kicks Off with KKR vs. RCB Showdown at Eden Gardens

Kolkata, India — The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 is set to officially begin with a highly anticipated match between the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at Eden Gardens.

Defending champions KKR, who have claimed IPL titles in 2012, 2014, and 2024, will face off against RCB, a team in pursuit of its first championship. The excitement surrounding this opening match is palpable as players and fans prepare for a showdown at 7:30 PM IST, following a toss scheduled for 7:00 PM IST.

This year marks a significant leadership change for both franchises. Ajinkya Rahane will captain KKR, while Rajat Patidar will take up the captaincy for RCB. The makeup of each team reflects their strategies going forward with KKR retaining core players like star all-rounders Andre Russell and Sunil Narine, which strengthens their lineup.

Meanwhile, RCB has revamped its roster, adding power hitters Liam Livingstone and Phil Salt, while relying on the seasoned presence of Virat Kohli within their batting order. The predicted playing XI for KKR includes Quinton de Kock (wk), Sunil Narine, Ajinkya Rahane (c), Venkatesh Iyer, Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Ramandeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Anrich Nortje, Varun Chakravarthy, and Vaibhav Arora as an impact player. RCB’s lineup is expected to feature Phil Salt (wk), Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar (c), Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal, and Suyash Sharma as an impact player.

This match holds particular significance as it is the first time since the inaugural IPL in 2008 that KKR and RCB will open the season. Their historical rivalry adds an extra layer of intensity to the match. KKR has dominated their previous encounters, winning 20 out of 34 matches played, with RCB last victorious in 2022. This statistic fuels RCB’s determination to break their losing streak against KKR.

The weather forecast for the match day predicts a 40% chance of rain, with temperatures around 26 °C, which could potentially affect both match conditions and fan attendance. Eden Gardens is known for its balanced pitch, suggesting an exciting contest between bat and ball.

Fans can catch the live action on the Star Sports Network or stream it via the JioHotstar app. A grand opening ceremony will precede the match, featuring performances from popular artists aimed at setting an electrifying atmosphere.

As IPL 2025 unfolds, all eyes will be on this inaugural match. It’s more than just a cricket game; it’s the starting point of a thrilling T20 season filled with competition. With experienced players and emerging talent, both franchises are expected to bring their best to the field, raising the stakes for an unforgettable season.