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Kuljyot Singh

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Virat Kohli scored an unbeaten fifty in the run-chase during the IPL 2025 opener

3 turning points from the KKR vs RCB IPL 2025 opener

Virat Kohli scored an unbeaten fifty in the run-chase during the IPL 2025 opener (Credits: X)

WHAT A FANTASTIC START! The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) have managed to register a pretty convincing 7-wicket victory over defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the opening match of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2025) season hosted at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Left-arm spinner Krunal Pandya was the star performer with the ball for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru after which the opening duo of Virat Kohli and Phil Salt went berserk in the first six overs to take the game completely away from the opposition. This massive victory will also help RCB boost their Net Run Rate (NRR) to a great extent. 

Kolkata Knight Riders vs Royal Challengers Bangalore: Rahane-Narine duo gets KKR off to a flying start in IPL 2025 opener

After losing the toss and being asked to bat first on a pretty flat deck at the Eden Gardens, the Kolkata Knight Riders did not had the best of starts having lost the wicket of their premier opener Quinton de Kock in the very first over of the game. However, the duo of skipper Ajinkya Rahane and Sunil Narine then did not felt much of pressure and started smashing the RCB bowlers in all parts of the ground. The pair stitched a fantastic partnership of 103 runs in a matter of just 9 overs. In his very first game of IPL 2025 as KKR captain, Ajinkya Rahane smashed an impressive knock of 56 runs off just 31 balls that included 6 fours and 4 sixes while Narine scored 44 runs off 26 deliveries. 

KKR vs RCB IPL 2025 opener: Krunal Pandya applies the brakes with three vital wickets

However, then came another twist in the KKR vs RCB IPL 2025 opener as left-arm spinner Krunal Pandya brought back Royal Challengers Bangalore back in the game with his stunning spell. He first picked up the prized scalp of KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane and then dismissed the dangerous duo of Venkatesh Iyer and Rinku Singh to apply the brakes to opposition's rocket start. RCB leg-spinner Suyash Sharma bowled a fantastic delivery to get rid of Andre Russell which increased the troubles for KKR. Angkrish Raghuvanshi smacked 30 runs but eventually Kolkata Knight Riders managed to finish with a total of 174 runs in their 20 overs. 

Salt-Virat fifties help RCB win the IPL 2025 opener

While chasing a target of 175 runs, the Royal Challengers Bangalore got off to a superb start as the brand new opening pair of Phil Salt and Virat Kohli dominated the opposition bowlers right from the very first over. The duo combined together for an exceptional partnership of 95 runs in 8.3 overs to make the run chase a mere formality. In his debut match for RCB, Salt went on to smash an excellent knock of 56 runs off 31 balls that consisted of 9 fours and 2 sixes. RCB skipper Rajat Patidar played an exciting cameo of 34 runs while Virat Kohli remained unbeaten in yet another run-chase as he notched up 59 runs off 36 deliveries. Liam Livingstone smashed the winning runs as RCB kicked off their IPL 2025 campaign in a sensational fashion. 

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