Kohli and Salt's Dominant Opening Stand Propels RCB to Commanding Victory Over KKR in IPL 2025 Opener

RCB's Strong Start to IPL 2025

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) kicked off their Indian Premier League 2025 campaign in style with a dominant seven-wicket victory over defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). The match, held at the iconic Eden Gardens, saw RCB chase down a target of 175 with ease, thanks to a scintillating opening partnership between Virat Kohli and England’s Phil Salt.

Kohli and Salt’s Explosive Partnership

Virat Kohli remained unbeaten on 59 off just 36 deliveries, showcasing his trademark consistency and class.
Phil Salt blasted a quickfire 56 from 31 balls, setting the tone for RCB's chase.
Their partnership of 95 runs for the first wicket laid a solid foundation for RCB’s successful run chase.
Contributions from Rajat Patidar (34 off 16 balls) and Liam Livingstone (15* off 5 balls) ensured RCB reached the target in just 16.2 overs.

KKR’s Innings: A Tale of Two Halves

KKR got off to a flying start, reaching 107-1 in 10 overs after Quinton de Kock fell early. Sunil Narine and captain Ajinkya Rahane (56 off 31 balls) added 103 runs for the second wicket, but Krunal Pandya (3-29) turned the game with a crucial middle-overs spell. Supported by Josh Hazlewood (2-22), Pandya dismantled KKR’s middle order, restricting them to 174-8.

Key Moments:

Krunal Pandya’s Spin Magic: Dismissed Rahane, Shreyas Iyer, and Rinku Singh to halt KKR’s momentum.
Hazlewood’s Return: The Australian pacer, returning from injury, delivered an economical spell.
RCB’s Chase Mastery: Kohli and Salt’s aggression ensured a comfortable victory.

Post-Match Reflections

Rahane admitted KKR aimed for a 200-plus total, but RCB’s bowling and batting prowess proved superior.
This win marks a strong statement from RCB, who have long sought their maiden IPL title.
Kohli, the leading run-scorer in IPL 2024 (741 runs), continued his brilliant form.