RCB Crush KKR by 7 Wickets in IPL 2025 Opener as Kohli, Salt Shine

Kolkata, March 22: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) kicked off their IPL 2025 campaign in style, defeating defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) by seven wickets at Eden Gardens. Half-centuries from Virat Kohli (59 off 36) and Phil Salt (56 off 25)* powered RCB to a dominant chase of 175 runs in just 16.2 overs, securing an emphatic victory with 22 balls to spare.

Kohli & Salt Set the Tone for RCB’s Dominant Chase

RCB’s chase began explosively as Phil Salt and Virat Kohli stitched a 95-run opening stand, dismantling KKR’s bowling attack in the powerplay. Salt’s fiery knock featured two sixes and six fours, while Kohli remained unbeaten, anchoring the chase with his 56th IPL fifty.

Salt attacked early, smashing Varun Chakaravarthy and Spencer Johnson for massive hits, while Kohli’s elegance was on full display, dispatching Harshit Rana and Arora for boundaries. Though Salt and Devdutt Padikkal departed, RCB skipper Rajat Patidar (26 off 15) and Liam Livingstone (12)* finished things off in style.

Krunal Pandya, Josh Hazlewood Restrict KKR to 174/8

Earlier, KKR posted 174/8 in 20 overs, thanks to Ajinkya Rahane’s 56 and Sunil Narine’s 44. However, RCB bowlers staged a strong comeback, with Krunal Pandya (3/29) and Josh Hazlewood (2/22) leading the charge, ensuring the target remained within reach.

Brief Scores:

KKR – 174/8 (20) | Ajinkya Rahane 56, Sunil Narine 44 | Krunal Pandya 3/29, Josh Hazlewood 2/22
RCB – 177/3 (16.2) | Virat Kohli 59, Phil Salt 56* | Sunil Narine 1/27, Vaibhav Arora 1/42

RCB’s statement win in the IPL 2025 season opener makes them an early team to watch!