KKR vs RCB Match Prediction: Who will win today's 1st Match IPL 2025
IPL 2025 everyone has been waiting for is about to commence, with the defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) facing Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the opening match of the season. This exciting match will be played on Saturday 22nd March at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
Let’s have a look at today’s cricket match prediction, pitch report, head-to-head and key players ahead of the first match of IPL 2025 between Kolkata and Bengaluru.
Match Details
Teams: Kolkata Knight Riders vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Venue: Eden Gardens, Kolkata
Date & Time : Saturday, March 22 7:30 PM (IST)
Live Telecast & Streaming: JioHotstar (app and website) & Star Sports Network
Eden Gardens has traditionally favoured batters. It means fans can expect scoring well into double digits from the opening whistle. But the pitch usually slows down as the game wears on, which helps spinners. Historically, the chasing team has been more successful here, winning 55 of the 93 matches, while batting first has seen teams walk away with only 38 wins.
Head-to-Head Record
KKR vs RCB: Being KKR vs RCB, the rivalry gets extremely heated, KKR vs RCB seems Ongoing Tsunami in the history of IPL. In 34 encounters, KKR has won 20 while RCB has won 14 matches. In their most recent close contest, KKR prevailed by a mere 1 run, exemplifying the suspense and excitement that this rivalry has historically represented.
Total Matches played | 34 |
KKR won | 20 |
RCB won | 14 |
No Results / Tied | 0 |
Weather Update
Leaving fans with fingers crossed for blue skies, as rain is forecasted for the afternoon ahead of the game. Though there’s a 65% chance of rain at the beginning, conditions are predicted to clear up, providing an exciting match in the evening with 74% humidity hanging in the air.
KKR vs RCB Probable Playing XI
KKR Probable Playing XI:
Quinton de Kock (wk), Sunil Narine, Venkatesh Iyer, Ajinkya Rahane (c), Manish Pandey, Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Anrich Nortje, Varun Chakravarthy, Harshit Rana, and Vaibhav Arora.
Impact Player: Mayank Markande
RCB Probable Playing XI:
Phil Salt, Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar (c), Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Swapnil Singh, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal.
Impact Player: Suyash Sharma/Devdutt Padikkal
Key Players to Watch
Sunil Narine: A giant of a franchise cricketer, Narine would be instrumental with the ball against RCB’s batsmen while also chipping in with a few runs in the lower order. His record against RCB is remarkable, and he will be one of the key players for KKR without a doubt.
Andre Russell: Another destructive batsman, Russell has an impressive record against RCB. An explosive batter capable of taking the game away from the opposition, KKR will look to him to turn the tide, if he gets going.
Virat Kohli: The iconic RCB captain will be essential to his side’s batting order. He also has a good record against KKR, and his fans will want another vintage innings from him.
Josh Hazlewood: Hazlewood, an experienced bowler, is back with the RCB squad and will look to make a statement early on, as he will be expected to be the one to unsettle KKR’s top order soon after getting on their pitch.
Match Prediction
Toss Prediction: KKR to win the toss.
In case KKR bowls first: RCB can score around 185-195.
Prediction for the Match: KKR to take the win.
If KKR bats first: KKR can* score between 170-180.
Prediction: RCB to Win
The IPL 2025 season will kick off with a high stakes contest between KKR and RCB. Then catch the action and predict who will emerge victorious early in this Era defining tournament!
For the latest live updates and analysis as the IPL 2025 season opens with the high-stakes KKR vs RCB clash, download our app. Welcome to what promises to be an exciting season of cricket!