IPL fans Assemble! The IPL 2025 season is back and the opening game with an absolute thrilling match between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) vs Royal Challenger Bengaluru (RCB) which was played at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on March 22, 2025. The toss decision was in the favour of RCB who decided to bowl first that restricting KKR to 174/8, and setting an exciting chase.
Virat Kohli opened with Phil Salt and played a crucial building knock, but it was his 95-run stand with Kohli off just 51 balls before he was dismissed. Salt scored 56 runs off 31 deliveries. After that Kohli was simply unmatchable scoring fifty off 30 balls and then continued his aggression to remain not out on 59 off 36 balls taking RCB to their winning required total by hitting multiple sixes.
Setting the Stage: Toss, Pitch, and Early Momentum
RCB won the toss and decided to field first. KKR scored 174/8 in 20 overs which was a respectable total but not impossible to chase on a good batting wicket. The responsibility was on RCB’s openers Phil Salt and Virat Kohli to give them a strong start. From ball one, Salt blistered the KKR bowling attack which left attacking bowlers like Sunil Narine clueless. Salt raced to 56 off 31 balls, hitting boundaries in almost every other ball. This never let KKR settle in the second innings. But it was Kohli who was turning over the strike and playing a stable game that never let the partnership break.
The duo compiled 95 runs in eight-and-half overs, a partnership that took the game away from KKR. RCB were 80/0 at the strategic timeout after six overs; Salt was on 49, Kohli was on 29 off 29 balls, showing how circumspect he remained. It was an important phase where RCB took advantage of the powerplay without losing wickets and set up a platform for the middle overs.
As elegant as ever 👌
Classy Kohli entertained Eden Gardens with stylish 59*(36) 🔥
As elegant as ever 👌
Classy Kohli entertained Eden Gardens with stylish 59*(36) 🔥
🔽 Watch | #TATAIPL | #KKRvRCB | @imVkohli
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) March 22, 2025
Virat Kohli’s Transition: From Anchor to Aggressor
The turning point came when Salt was dismissed, caught in the deep, leaving RCB at 95/1. The buzz around the stadium was palpable as the crowd waited to see if the momentum shifted. However, with the onus on him in the run-chase, Kohli with his attacking intent that it was time for him to take over the mantle. He brought up his fifty off just 30 balls with some deft drives and a couple of powerful pulls, making a statement every time he found the boundary. 100 runs up for RCB in 9.5 overs with “The King” still at the crease, and the equation was well under control.
Thereafter, when Kohli smashed 3 sixes in quick succession, the KKR bowlers tried every trick in their book – a slew of variations, and slower balls, but Kohli was in his zone. A strike rate that had ticked along like butter for most of the innings finished at 163.89 with Kohli unbeaten on 59 off 36 balls, 4 fours and 3 sixes.
Rajat Patidar, captaining the RCB for the very first time, gave the perfect support, slamming a 16-ball 34. By the time RCB were 177 in 16.2 overs. They finished with seven wickets in hand, with 22 balls to spare — a near-perfect victory that gave them net run rate hike early on in the tournament.
RCB’s Bold Statement: A Shift in IPL Dynamics
This victory meant more than just a win, it was a statement as well. Kohli’s emphatic demonstration would have sent fear across other teams. Teams must be careful when Kohli is around It should be noted that Kohli is one of the finest batsmen of his time, having Test quality defence, and the ability to push the issue when needed.
With 22 balls to spare, RCB reflected their intention to fight till the end. But it has laid the marker for the rest of the tournament. We do know in present-day form, Virat Kohli’s only making RCB more of a serious threat. RCB’s foundation is set for the rest of the tournament, and it could possibly prompt other teams to lift their matters up a gear.
Kohli did not just go about scoring runs at a higher rate but the way in which he batted also reflected the intent he had of the match. Teams have to be careful in IPL 2025 as they know Kohli has now set himself up as the master of run chases at his best, looking to provide his services to a favourable outcome.
Also Read:Â KKR vs RCB : Krunal Pandya , Virat Kohli & Phil Salt Gallop Defending Champions