The much-anticipated IPL 2025 season kicks off today, March 22, 2025, with a blockbuster clash between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
As defending champions, KKR will look to start their title defense on a high note, while RCB, led by new captain Rajat Patidar, aim to finally clinch their maiden IPL title.
For fantasy cricket enthusiasts, this KKR vs RCB Dream11 prediction for today’s match offers the best insights, fantasy tips, probable playing XI, pitch report, and weather updates to help you build a winning team. Let’s dive into the details of this IPL 2025 Match 1 showdown!
KKR vs RCB Match Details: IPL 2025 Match 1
- Match: Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
- Date and Time: March 22, 2025, at 7:30 PM IST (7:00 AM PDT)
- Venue: Eden Gardens, Kolkata
- Live Streaming: JioHotstar App and Website, Star Sports Network
- Tickets: Available on BookMyShow and Paytm Insider
This opening match of IPL 2025 promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams featuring new captains—Ajinkya Rahane for KKR and Rajat Patidar for RCB. Fans are also excited to see Virat Kohli return to T20 cricket after his T20I retirement following India’s 2024 T20 World Cup victory.
KKR vs RCB Head-to-Head Record
KKR and RCB have a storied rivalry in the IPL, having faced each other 34 times. KKR holds the upper hand with 20 wins, while RCB has secured 14 victories. In their last five encounters, KKR has dominated, winning four matches, with RCB’s last win against KKR coming in IPL 2022.
At Eden Gardens, KKR has a strong record, winning 52 out of 88 IPL matches, giving them a slight edge in today’s clash.
- Total Matches: 34
- KKR Won: 20
- RCB Won: 14
- Last 5 Matches: KKR – 4 wins, RCB – 1 win
Eden Gardens Pitch Report For KKR vs RCB IPL 2025 Match 1
The Eden Gardens pitch is known for being a batting paradise, especially in IPL matches. It offers a flat surface with consistent bounce, allowing batters to play their shots freely.
The boundaries are relatively short, and the ball comes nicely onto the bat, making it ideal for high-scoring games. However, as the match progresses, the pitch tends to slow down, bringing spinners into play.
In 93 IPL matches at this venue, teams batting second have won 55 times, while teams batting first have won 38 times, indicating a slight advantage for the chasing side.
- Pitch Behavior: Batting-friendly, with some assistance for spinners later
- Average First Innings Score: 165–180
- Toss Prediction: The team winning the toss might opt to bowl first due to the chasing advantage and potential dew factor in the evening.
Weather Report for KKR vs RCB Match on March 22, 2025
The weather in Kolkata on March 22, 2025, could play a significant role in today’s match. According to forecasts, there’s a 25% chance of rain during the game, with some areas of Kolkata under an orange alert for rainfall.
The temperature is expected to hover around 22°C, with cloudy skies and high humidity levels (around 52%). While rain is predicted in the afternoon, the match, starting at 7:30 PM IST, might escape major interruptions, but a shortened game or delays are possible.
- Temperature: 22°C
- Rain Probability: 25%
- Humidity: 52%
- Wind Speed: 2.5 km/h
KKR vs RCB Probable Playing XI for IPL 2025 Match 1
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) Probable XI
- Quinton de Kock (wk)
- Sunil Narine
- Ajinkya Rahane (c)
- Venkatesh Iyer
- Rinku Singh
- Andre Russell
- Ramandeep Singh
- Harshit Rana
- Varun Chakravarthy
- Anrich Nortje
- Vaibhav Arora
Impact Player Options: Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Manish Pandey
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) Probable XI
- Phil Salt (wk)
- Virat Kohli
- Rajat Patidar (c)
- Liam Livingstone
- Tim David/Jacob Bethell
- Krunal Pandya
- Swapnil Singh
- Josh Hazlewood
- Yash Dayal
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar
- Suyash Sharma
Impact Player Options: Devdutt Padikkal, Romario Shepherd
KKR vs RCB Dream11 Prediction: Top Fantasy Picks for Today’s Match
Building a winning Dream11 team for the KKR vs RCB IPL 2025 match requires a balance of top performers, all-rounders, and differential picks. Here are the best players to consider based on their recent form, head-to-head records, and venue stats.
Wicketkeepers
- Phil Salt (RCB): Salt, who previously played for KKR, has an excellent record at Eden Gardens, scoring 350 runs at a strike rate of 185.19. He’s a top pick against his former team.
- Quinton de Kock (KKR): The South African keeper-batter brings consistency and stability to KKR’s top order, making him a reliable choice.
Batters
- Virat Kohli (RCB): Kohli, the IPL’s leading run-scorer, has a stellar record against KKR and at Eden Gardens. He scored 741 runs in IPL 2024 and is in great form after the Champions Trophy. A must-have in your Dream11 team.
- Rajat Patidar (RCB): RCB’s new captain has the highest individual score at Eden Gardens (112*) and can anchor the innings.
- Rinku Singh (KKR): Known for his finishing skills, Rinku has a good record at this venue and can be a game-changer in the middle order.
All-Rounders
- Sunil Narine (KKR): Narine is a top captaincy pick, contributing with both bat and ball. He has 559 runs and 70 wickets at Eden Gardens, with a strike rate of 182.91 against RCB.
- Andre Russell (KKR): Russell loves playing against RCB, boasting a strike rate of 198.59. He’s also a handy bowler in the death overs.
- Liam Livingstone (RCB): Livingstone’s explosive batting and part-time spin make him a valuable all-rounder for RCB.
Bowlers
- Varun Chakravarthy (KKR): The mystery spinner was the second-highest wicket-taker in IPL 2024 with 21 wickets and has 24 wickets at Eden Gardens. He’s a great pick against RCB’s right-hand-heavy batting lineup.
- Josh Hazlewood (RCB): Hazlewood’s accuracy and ability to exploit early swing at Eden Gardens make him a top bowling pick.
- Harshit Rana (KKR): Rana has 15 wickets at Eden Gardens and can be a wicket-taker in the death overs.
KKR vs RCB Dream11 Team for Today’s Match (IPL 2025 Match 1)
Dream11 Team for Small Leagues
- Wicketkeepers: Phil Salt, Quinton de Kock
- Batters: Virat Kohli (VC), Rajat Patidar, Rinku Singh
- All-Rounders: Sunil Narine (C), Andre Russell, Liam Livingstone
- Bowlers: Varun Chakravarthy, Josh Hazlewood, Harshit Rana
Dream11 Team for Grand Leagues
- Wicketkeepers: Phil Salt
- Batters: Virat Kohli (C), Venkatesh Iyer, Devdutt Padikkal
- All-Rounders: Sunil Narine, Andre Russell (VC), Krunal Pandya
- Bowlers: Varun Chakravarthy, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal
Captain Choices: Sunil Narine, Virat Kohli
Vice-Captain Choices: Andre Russell, Phil Salt
Key Players to Watch in KKR vs RCB IPL 2025 Match 1
- Virat Kohli (RCB): Kohli’s consistency and hunger for runs make him a key player. He’ll be eager to start IPL 2025 with a big knock.
- Sunil Narine (KKR): Narine’s all-round abilities make him a match-winner. His performance at Eden Gardens is always crucial.
- Andre Russell (KKR): Russell’s power-hitting and death bowling can turn the game in KKR’s favor.
- Varun Chakravarthy (KKR): The spinner’s ability to trouble RCB’s batsmen, especially Kohli, will be a key matchup to watch.
- Phil Salt (RCB): Salt’s familiarity with Eden Gardens and his aggressive batting make him a player to watch.
KKR vs RCB Match Prediction: Who Will Win Today?
KKR has a slight edge in today’s match due to their home advantage at Eden Gardens and a superior head-to-head record against RCB. Their balanced squad, with the likes of Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, and Varun Chakravarthy, gives them an upper hand.
However, RCB’s explosive batting lineup, led by Virat Kohli and Phil Salt, can challenge KKR if they get going. The weather could be a factor, with a chance of rain potentially affecting the game. If the match goes ahead as planned, KKR is likely to win by a narrow margin, possibly by 6 wickets or 10 runs.
- Prediction: KKR to win
- Score Prediction: RCB 205/6, KKR 206/4 in 19.3 overs (if KKR chases)
Where to Watch KKR vs RCB IPL 2025 Match 1 Live?
Fans can catch the live action of the KKR vs RCB IPL 2025 opener on the following platforms:
- TV: Star Sports Network
- Live Streaming: JioHotstar App and Website
Why This KKR vs RCB Dream11 Prediction Matters
The IPL 2025 season opener is a high-stakes game for both teams and fantasy cricket players. With millions of fans participating in Dream11 contests, picking the right players can make all the difference.
This KKR vs RCB Dream11 prediction provides you with expert insights, top fantasy picks, and a balanced team to maximize your chances of winning in both small and grand leagues. Keep an eye on the toss and weather updates, as they could influence your final team selection.
Important Links For IPL 2025
The official IPL website (https://www.iplt20.com) for match updates.
JioHotstar (https://www.jiohotstar.com) for live streaming details.
Weather forecast sites like Weather.com for Kolkata’s weather updates.
Conclusion
The KKR vs RCB match on March 22, 2025, at Eden Gardens sets the tone for an exciting IPL 2025 season. With KKR’s balanced squad and home advantage pitted against RCB’s explosive batting, this game promises to be a nail-biter.
Use our KKR vs RCB Dream11 prediction, fantasy cricket tips, and probable playing XI to build your winning team today.
Don’t forget to check the latest updates on the JioHotstar app or Star Sports Network for live action. Who do you think will win this IPL 2025 opener? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Note: This is the AI Generated Article By Grok AI.
