KKR vs RCB IPL 2025 Match 1 Highlights: Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, and Krunal Pandya steer the visitors to victory

The opening clash of the 18th season of the Indian Premier League was a pretty one-sided affair as the Royal Challengers Bengaluru comfortably defeated the defending champions. Kolkata Knight Riders was defeated by seven wickets in their own den in Kolkata. Virat Kohli and Phil Salt were the star performers with the bat in hand. The two opening batters struck fifties before Krunal Pandya weaved his magic in the first innings.

Rajat Patidar won the toss earlier in the evening and had no hesitation in electing to bowl first. After Quinton de Kock was dismissed in the first over of the game, Ajinkya Rahane played a captain’s knock. For a moment it looked like Rahane and Sunil Narine would take KKR past a total of 220 runs. However, Krunal Pandya had other plans. The left-arm spinner picked up three wickets and was the star performer with the ball in hand at the Eden Gardens.

In the second innings, Salt and Kohli started on a great note. The duo shared a 95-run opening stand to put the game to bed. The Englishman was the aggressor in the partnership and scored 56 runs in 31 balls before being dismissed. However, Kohli remained not out till the end and helped RCB chase down the target of 175 with 22 balls to spare.

Kolkata Knight Riders vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru IPL 2025 Match 1: Man Of the Match

Krunal Pandya was named the Player of the Match for his three-wicket haul. The left-arm spinner made important breakthroughs and helped RCB in restricting KKR for an under-par score. He took wickets of Ajinkya Rahane, Venkatesh Iyer, and Rinku Singh. Along with his three wickets, Pandya remained economical as well and went for only 29 runs in his four overs.

Kolkata Knight Riders vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru IPL 2025 Match 1: Top Performers

Virat Kohli - 59* (36)
 

Another chase, another unbeaten knock came from the bat of Virat Kohli. The former RCB skipper steered the visitors to victory with a knock of 59 runs in 36 deliveries. While Salt was going all guns blazing, Kohli took his time initially. However, he did not take up a lot of time to join Salt in the party. He smashed four fours and three sixes and was pretty proactive against all bowlers.

Krunal Pandya - 3/29
 

Krunal Pandya was the enforcer with the ball for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The left-arm spinner picked up three wickets in the first innings. He came in to bowl when Ajinkya Rahane and Sunil Narine were looking in great control. Pandya dismissed Rahane, Venkatesh Iyer, and Rinku Singh. His timely dismissals along with economical bowling restricted KKR to a score of only 174 runs.

Phil Salt - 56 (31)
 

Phil Salt playing against his former franchise did not show any signs of friendship. The English opener scored 56 runs off 31 deliveries smashing nine fours and a couple of sixes. His knock along with Virat Kohli’s fifty allowed the visitors to comfortably chase down the target of 175 runs.

Sunil Narine - 44 (26) and 1/27
 

Sunil Narine since making a move to the top of the order has been an underrated all-rounder. The West Indian started at an unusual pace. He had scored only 17 runs in the first 15 balls he faced. He then put up the foot on the accelerator pedal and bludgeoned Suyash Sharma and Rasikh Salam. In the second innings, with the ball in hand, Narine was the most economical KKR bowler. He picked up Devdutt Padikkal’s wicket and only conceded 27 runs in his four overs.

Kolkata Knight Riders vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru IPL 2025 Match 1: 1st Innings Summary

Kolkata Knight Riders started the first innings on a great note even after losing Quinton de Kock in the very first over of the match. In the first 10 overs, it felt like Ajinkya Rahane and Sunil Narine would take the game away from RCB’s grasp. However, RCB forged a comeback thanks to Krunal Pandya’s three-wicket haul. Josh Hazlewood was the most economical bowler of the game and took two wickets as well.

Kolkata Knight Riders vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru IPL 2025 Match 1: 2nd Innings Summary
 

If there were any doubts over who will win the match, Virat Kohli and Phil Salt put it to bed. The two RCB openers made fifties and steered their team to victory. Sunil Narine for KKR, remained economical and gave away only 27 runs in his four overs. He accounted for Devdutt Padikkal’s wicket. Rajat Patidar played a fiery knock to accompany his first win as the RCB skipper.