IPL Live: Rain threat looms over KKR vs RCB season opener

The defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders host Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the opening match of the 2025 Indian Premier League season on Saturday at the Eden Gardens.

Here's a look at how the two teams shape up for the opening face-off

This Indian Premier League (IPL) will be the final mega audition of players for next year’s T20 World Cup to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.

India’s T20 team has sustained its dominance since the T20 World Cup triumph in June last year, but it hasn’t been India’s first-choice squad, with formats overlapping and selectors preserving senior players for Test matches.

It has created an awkward situation for the selectors. For instance, Rishabh Pant will have to fight for his wicketkeeping spot with Sanju Samson coming good in two out of four T20I series after the T20 World Cup. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill, who were long considered as Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s successors at the top of the order, will have to do a lot more to displace Abhishek Sharma and Samson. KL Rahul, after being dropped for the last T20 World Cup, too will look to re-establish himself.

The IPL 2025 opener between Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bangalore at Eden Gardens rekindles an iconic rivalry. The legendary Brendon McCullum innings of 158 in the inaugural IPL match set the stage for KKR's legacy. Since then, KKR has secured three titles, while RCB remains in search of their elusive first trophy.

Led by Ajinkya Rahane, KKR aims to defy history by maintaining form after a championship win. Spin will be crucial on Eden’s surface, with Varun Chakravarthy and Sunil Narine leading KKR’s bowling attack. For RCB, Virat Kohli’s form and the new partnership with Phil Salt at the top will be key. The absence of Mohammed Siraj leaves a gap in RCB’s bowling, putting pressure on veterans Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood. With rain threatening the match, both teams will hope for a dry spell to kick-start their campaign on a high note.

The 18th Indian Premier League (IPL) kicks off with defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) facing Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) amid rain threats.

This season introduces several new rules and innovations. Notably, the ban on using saliva to shine the ball, implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic, has been lifted. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) made the decision after receiving a majority consensus from IPL captains. While the International Cricket Council (ICC) made the saliva ban permanent in 2022, the IPL follows its own regulations.

Another major rule change aims to counter the impact of dew. During evening matches, umpires can introduce a fresh ball from the 11th over if the dew significantly affects play. This rule, however, will not apply to afternoon games.

Additionally, the Decision Review System (DRS) has been expanded to cover height and off-side wides, ensuring fairer calls. Despite controversies, the Impact Player rule remains intact.

Ajinkya Rahane's credentials as a leader are undeniable. Known for leading India to a historic victory at the Gabba in 2021 and steering Mumbai to Ranji and Irani titles in 2024, Rahane has shown he can rise to the occasion. In limited-overs cricket, he has a perfect record as India's ODI captain and a respectable one in T20Is. He also top-scored for Mumbai in the Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament, racking up 469 runs with a blistering strike rate of 164.56.

However, Rahane's IPL captaincy track record is less inspiring. His last stint as a skipper with Rajasthan Royals in 2019 ended with just nine wins from 25 matches. This time, Rahane must not only lead a revamped squad but also score consistently to cement his place in the line-up.

The stakes are high for both captains in this IPL edition. With the pressure mounting and expectations soaring, how Rahane and Patidar handle their new roles will be crucial to their team's fortunes.

In a surprising move, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have handed over the captaincy to Ajinkya Rahane, parting ways with Shreyas Iyer, the skipper who guided them to their third IPL title last year. It's an unusual decision to release a winning captain, but KKR opted to chart a new path for IPL 2025. The departure of mentor Gautam Gambhir and support staff members Abhishek Nayar and Ryan ten Doeschate has further shaken up the think-tank.

Rahane, picked up at the mega auction at his base price, now finds himself at the helm. Though he wasn't seen as the first-choice leader, the management's faith in his experience and calm demeanor might prove valuable. It's a high-stakes gamble — a double-edged sword that could either be a masterstroke or backfire spectacularly.

For Rahane, this is a chance to prove his mettle as a leader in the shortest format. Rebuilding a winning combination with coach Chandrakant Pandit and mentor Dwayne Bravo will be his first big test.

Rajat Patidar will be thrilled to step back onto the hallowed turf of Eden Gardens, a ground that holds a special place in his career. It was here, in the 2022 IPL Eliminator against Lucknow Super Giants, that Patidar's fortunes took a dramatic turn. Despite sharing the spotlight with giants like Faf du Plessis, Virat Kohli, and Glenn Maxwell, it was Patidar who stole the show that night.

Coming in at No. 3, he crafted a sensational unbeaten century, smashing 112 off just 54 balls with 12 fours and seven towering sixes. His heroics not only powered RCB to victory but also marked the highest individual IPL score at this iconic venue.

Fast forward to 2025, and Patidar returns in a new role — captain of RCB. With the elusive IPL trophy still out of reach for the franchise, the pressure will be immense. But with his evolving leadership, as seen with Madhya Pradesh in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20, Patidar looks set to embrace the challenge.

The blockbuster 2025 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to kick off with defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) taking on Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the tournament opener at the iconic Eden Gardens on Saturday. Fans are eagerly awaiting this thrilling clash between two powerhouses, as both teams embark on a new journey under fresh leadership.

KKR, led by seasoned campaigner Ajinkya Rahane, will look to make a statement right from the start of their title defense. On the other hand, RCB will be under the stewardship of Rajat Patidar, who has been entrusted with the responsibility of leading the franchise as they aim to overcome past disappointments and break their title drought.

The leadership reshuffle is just one of many changes witnessed by both teams following last year’s mega auction in Jeddah. The revamped squads boast a mix of experienced players and promising youngsters, adding an extra layer of excitement to this high-voltage encounter.

One of the most anticipated moments of the match will be seeing Indian cricket legend Virat Kohli back in the T20 format after his retirement from the shortest format following India's historic T20 World Cup triumph last year. Home fans at Eden Gardens will be eager to witness Kohli's return, as he continues to represent RCB in the IPL despite stepping away from international T20 cricket.