Follow LIVE updates as defending champs KKR take on RCB in the IPL 2025 opener!
🌧️ Weather Watch: Will Rain Ruin the Party?
Eden Gardens, Kolkata | 7:30 PM IST
Hold your breath, folks! Dark clouds are hovering over Kolkata, and the Met Department predicts a 40% chance of rain during the match. The toss (7:00 PM IST) might dodge the drizzle, but a full 20-over game? Fingers crossed!
🏟️ Match Context: Champions vs Playoffs Comeback Kings
KKR (Defending Champs): Ajinkya Rahane & Co. are riding high after their 2024 title win. But post-mega auction, their squad has fresh faces and VENKATESH IYER under the spotlight (₹18.5 crore price tag 🔥). Can he silence critics?
RCB (Playoffs Dark Horses): Skipper Rajat Patidar leads a revamped RCB side that clawed back from early losses last season. Virat Kohli is back, but all eyes are on their English Core (Buttler, Livingstone, Topley). Will their poor international form haunt RCB?
🔥 Key Battles to Watch
- Andre Russell vs RCB’s Death Bowling: Dre Russ loves smashing RCB! Can newcomer Josh Tongue (RCB’s ₹9.2 crore buy) handle the heat?
- Virat Kohli vs Mitchell Starc: Kohli vs Starc’s toe-crushers? Popcorn moment!
- Sunil Narine vs Glenn Maxwell: Spin vs Mad Max’s sweep shots — who blinks first?
📋 Predicted Playing XI
KKR: Ajinkya Rahane (C), Venkatesh Iyer, Shreyas Iyer, Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, KS Bharat (WK), Mitchell Starc, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy, Chetan Sakariya
RCB: Rajat Patidar (C), Virat Kohli, Jos Buttler, Glenn Maxwell, Cameron Green, Mahipal Lomror, Dinesh Karthik (WK), Reece Topley, Mayank Dagar, Mohammed Siraj, Yash Dayal
Wildcard: RCB might bench Livingstone for Will Jacks if the pitch is spin-friendly!
📺 Live Streaming: How to Watch
- FREE Streaming: JioCinema (India)
- TV Broadcast: Star Sports Network
- Global Fans: Check Disney+ Hotstar (VPN-friendly) or local broadcasters.
💬 Pre-Match Buzz
- KKR Camp: “We’re not defending the title; we’re attacking it,” says Rahane.
- RCB Camp: Patidar’s mantra: “Fearless cricket, zero baggage.”
- Fan Wars: Kolkata’s Korbo Lorbo Jeetbo vs Bengaluru’s Ee Sala Cup Namde chants!
🎯 Final Word
Will KKR start their title defense with a bang? Or will RCB’s “English Avengers” steal the show? Grab your snacks, charge your phones, and refresh this page for ball-by-ball updates. Let’s get IPL 2025 rolling!
Drop your predictions below! 👇 #KKRvsRCB #IPL2025
Live Scorecard | Commentary | Stats
Last updated: 22 March 2025 | 2:45 PM IST
