IPL 2025, KKR vs RCB Top Highlights: Virat Kohli starts with a bang, Rajat Patidar flexes his muscle

IPL 2025, KKR vs RCB Top Highlights: Rajat Patidar had a brilliant start to his stint as the new Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) skipper. Riding on superb batting display by Virat Kohli and Phil Salt and some clinical bowling by Krunal Pandya, RCB handed a seven-wicket defeat to defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the IPL 2025 opener at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.

Here are the top highlights from the IPL 2025 season opener...

Ajinkya Rahane leads from front

Ajinkya Rahane, Sunil Narine in action (IPL Photo)

Ajinkya Rahane, the new KKR skipper, led his side from the front and smashed a scintallating 56 off 31 balls, which featured six fours and four sixes. Rahane walked in to bat when KKR lost Quinton de Kock in the first over and added 103 off just 55 balls with Sunil Narine for the second wicket. The duo laid a perfect platform for the KKR middle and lower middle-order to explode after the hosts were invited to bat by RCB. Instead the team crumbled post their departures and were restricted to 174/8 in 20 overs.

Andre Russell, Rinku Singh flop

KKR's biggest weapon Andre Russell and Rinku Singh failed to leave an impact. Both batters were dismissed cheaply leaving the team in a crisis situation with no one to rescue. Rinku scored 12 off 10 balls, while Russell managed 4(3).

Krunal Pandya leads RCB's comeback

Krunal Pandya brought RCB back into the contest (IPL)

After a solid start by Rahane and Narine, it was Krunal Pandya who brought RCB back into the contest. The all-rounder was the most clinical bowler from the RCB camp as he returned with three prized scalps - Rahane (56 off 31), Venkatesh Iyer (6 off 7), and Rinku Singh (12 off 10).

Virat Kohli starts with a bang

Virat Kohli returned unbeaten on 59(36)" width="378" height="213" /> IPL 2025: Virat Kohli returned unbeaten on 59(36) (IPL Photo)

Virat Kohli and Phil Salt gave RCB an explosive start in the 175-chase and added 80 runs in the powerplay. Salt then completed his half-century, taking just 25 deliveries to reach the milestone. The pair added 95 runs for the opening wicket before Varun Chakaravarthy dismissed Salt for 56(31). Kohli, however, didn't give the opponent any chance to make a comeback. Kohli went to slam a 30-ball half-century and returned unbeaten on 59(39) helping his team chase down the target with 22 balls to spare.

Rajat Patidar flexes his muscle

Rajat Patidar also got a chance to flex his muscles as the RCB skipper hammered 34(16). His intention was quite clear, which was to wrap the proceedings as early as possible and set a good net run-rate apart from the two points.