Kohli’s Heroics Seal Epic RCB Victory Over KKR After Early Scare
Despite missing their pace spearhead Bhuvneshwar Kumar due to injury, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) put on a clinical performance to overpower Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) by 7 wickets in the IPL 2025 opener at Eden Gardens. The absence of Bhuvneshwar forced RCB to shuffle their bowling plans, but stand-in pacers and a smart spin strategy worked wonders in their favor.
KKR’s Dominance in the Powerplay
Put in to bat, KKR got off to a flying start after an early hiccup. Josh Hazlewood dismissed Quinton de Kock for a duck in the first over, but Ajinkya Rahane and Sunil Narine launched a brutal counterattack. Narine, particularly severe on anything short, smashed three sixes and five boundaries to put RCB bowlers under immediate pressure. Rahane, playing the perfect foil, rotated strike and punished loose deliveries.
By the end of the powerplay, KKR were cruising at 60/1 and looked set for a 200-plus total. Their aggressive approach rattled the RCB bowlers, who clearly felt the absence of Bhuvneshwar’s experience in the early overs.
Rahane and Narine Set Foundation
Rahane’s form continued as he notched up a well-paced 50 off 25 balls, while Narine’s fireworks took KKR past the 100-run mark inside the 10th over. At 103/1, KKR were dictating terms with both set batters looking dangerous.
RCB’s Bowling Revival: Pandya Sparks Collapse
The game turned on its head when Krunal Pandya came into the attack. First, he removed Narine for a brisk 44 after enticing him into a miscue. Pandya then struck the big blow by dismissing Rahane for 56, halting the momentum that KKR had built.
The middle order couldn’t capitalize on the strong start. Venkatesh Iyer and Rinku Singh struggled against spin, while Andre Russell fell cheaply for 4, undone by Hazlewood’s clever change of pace. RCB bowlers conceded just 68 runs in the final 10 overs, restricting KKR to 174/8—well below par considering their flying start.
RCB’s Chase: Salt and Kohli Steer the Ship
Chasing 175, Phil Salt gave RCB a rollicking start with a fiery 56 off 31 balls, attacking both pace and spin with equal authority. Virat Kohli, at the other end, was in vintage form, timing the ball sweetly from ball one. The duo stitched a 95-run opening partnership, laying the platform for an emphatic chase.
Kohli’s Masterclass Century
With Salt’s dismissal, Kohli took charge of the innings. Mixing elegant drives with calculated aggression, Kohli brought up his 49th IPL fifty and soon accelerated.
Kohli’s half century not only silenced the Eden Gardens crowd but also marked his return to prime form, making a strong statement early in the season.
Supporting Acts and Finishing Touch
While Kohli anchored the innings, Rajat Patidar’s cameo of 34 off 16 balls ensured there were no late hiccups. RCB finished at 177/3 in 16.2 overs, securing a thumping win in their tournament opener.
Krunal Pandya: The Game Changer
Krunal Pandya’s spell of 3/29 in the middle overs was pivotal in shifting the tide. His ability to break partnerships and keep the run-rate in check was crucial to RCB’s turnaround after a tough powerplay phase.
Match Summary
- KKR: 174/8 (Rahane 56, Narine 44; Pandya 3/29)
- RCB: 177/3 in 16.2 overs (Kohli 59*, Salt 56; Narine 1/27)
- Result: RCB won by 7 wickets
What’s Next?
RCB will take immense confidence from this performance, especially without Bhuvneshwar Kumar in their ranks. Kohli’s return to form and Pandya’s impact with the ball could make them one of the early title contenders. KKR, on the other hand, must address their middle-order fragility as they head into their next clash.
Stay tuned as IPL 2025 continues to deliver thrilling action!
