The 2025 IPL season kicks off with a thrilling contest between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at the internationally renowned Eden Gardens on Friday.
RCB won the toss and decided to bowl first so that they could have an exciting match. There have been some spectacular leadership changes and an overhaul of the structure for both sides which we are hoping will be exciting, in any event, we hope it leads to the start of the excitement of the season.
Leadership changes
Changes in Leadership and Team Members The current title holder club Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), who have player captain Ajinkya Rahane, are going with a new team for the IPL event 2025.
KKR has new leadership along with changes to the player roster, which should set them on a new path. The Royal Challengers Bangalore also have new leadership in the first series against KKR, so this should be an exciting first game to kick off the event.
RCB vs KKR IPL 2025: Playing XI and Key Omissions
Both teams have a solid playing XI but with some exclusions. One of the major absentees for KKR is the seasoned seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar, a big loss for the team. Let’s have a peek at the playing XI for both teams in the IPL 2025 season opener:
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) Playing XI:
1. Virat Kohli
2. Philip Salt (wicketkeeper)
3. Rajat Patidar (skipper)
4. Liam Livingstone
5. Jitesh Sharma
6. Tim David
7. Krunal Pandya
8. Rasikh Dar Salam
9. Suyash Sharma
10. Josh Hazlewood
11. Yash Dayal
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) Playing XI:
1. Quinton de Kock (wicketkeeper)
2. Venkatesh Iyer
3. Ajinkya Rahane (captain)
4. Rinku Singh
5. Angkrish Raghuvanshi
6. Sunil Narine
7. Andre Russell
8. Ramandeep Singh
9. Spencer Johnson
10. Harshit Rana
11. Varun Chakaravarthy
Captains’ Insights on the Toss and Strategy
After losing the toss, KKR skipper Ajinkya Rahane shared his thoughts:
“It’s a privilege to captain this side. We’ve had some good preparations and the group core is solid. We want to bat first and then defend afterward. The thought is to leave the players with the freedom to play as a unit, and we are taking 3 pace bowlers and 2 spinners.”
RCB skipper Rajat Patidar, who chose to bowl first, added:
“We’ve opted to bowl first since the pitch is hard. It’s wonderful to captain RCB, and it’s a wonderful learning experience for the senior players. We have been well prepared for the past 10-15 days. There is some uncertainty with the impact player rule, but we are playing with 4 fast bowlers and 2 spinners.”
KKR vs RCB IPL 2025: Head-to-Head Record
Considering the KKR vs RCB IPL 2025 head-to-head record, Kolkata Knight Riders have the advantage. In the 34 matches between the two sides, KKR has emerged victorious 20 times, whereas RCB has won 14 times.
RCB will be looking to end their recent losing streak against KKR, as their previous win over the Kolkata-based team was in 2022.With both sides seeking to kick-start the 2025 season with a positive, this match will be one of the defining games in determining the early pace of the tournament.
The KKR vs RCB IPL 2025 opener is full of excitement, with new leadership dynamics, new strategies, and some interesting player picks. RCB choosing to bowl first introduces a level of strategy into the game, and with a reformed KKR team, it will be interesting to know which team prevails in this season opener.
As both teams aim for victory, the stage is set for an intense battle at Eden Gardens to kick off IPL 2025 in style.
This article provides a comprehensive preview of the KKR vs RCB IPL 2025 season opener, highlighting key player changes, strategies, and head-to-head records to keep fans excited and engaged.
ALSO READ: IPL 2025: Former IPL Stars to Join The Commentary Team
![[Watch]: Mohammed Siraj's Day 3 Masterclass: Root And Stokes Fall In Back-To-Back Deliveries](https://sportsdigest.in/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Siraj--300x169.webp)
