By exploreodisha.in 
In the inaugural match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season, Indian Premier League (RCB) secured a commanding seven-wicket victory over the defending champions, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), at Eden Gardens.
KKR’s Innings:
After losing the toss and being put into bat, KKR faced an early setback with the dismissal of opener Quinton de Kock in the first over by Josh Hazlewood. However, a resilient 103-run partnership between captain Ajinkya Rahane and Sunil Narine stabilized the innings. Rahane exhibited aggressive intent, scoring a brisk 56 off 31 balls, adorned with six boundaries and four sixes. Narine complemented with a quickfire 44 from 26 deliveries, including three sixes and five fours. Despite this solid foundation, RCB’s bowlers, particularly Krunal Pandya (3-29), applied pressure in the latter half, restricting KKR to a total of 174-8 in their allotted 20 overs.
RCB’s Chase:
Chasing a target of 175, RCB’s opening duo of Virat Kohli and Phil Salt launched a formidable assault on KKR’s bowling attack. The pair amassed a 95-run partnership, propelling RCB to 80 runs without loss by the end of the powerplay. Salt’s aggressive 56 off 31 balls set the tone, while Kohli anchored the innings with an unbeaten 59 from 36 deliveries, marking his 56th IPL half-century. Contributions from Rajat Patidar (34) and Liam Livingstone (15*), who sealed the victory with a boundary, ensured RCB reached the target comfortably in 16.2 overs.
Milestones and Records:
- Virat Kohli’s 400th T20 Match: This encounter was significant for Kohli as he played his 400th T20 match, becoming the third Indian cricketer to achieve this feat. In recognition, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) honored him with a special memento before the match.
- Dominance Against KKR: Kohli’s innings propelled his run tally against KKR to over 1,000 runs, making him the third batsman in IPL history to surpass this milestone against a single team.
Conclusion:
RCB’s emphatic performance in both batting and bowling departments set a positive tone for their IPL 2025 campaign. The victory highlighted their intent and preparedness for the season ahead, while KKR will look to address their middle-order vulnerabilities to bounce back in subsequent matches.