IPL 2025: Kolkata Knight Riders' Playing XI against Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Match No. 1 (KKR vs RCB)

IPL 2025: Kolkata Knight Riders Playing XI against Royal Challengers Bengaluru | KKR vs RCB

IPL 2025 is due to start on 22nd March. IT will start with the match between two key Rivals: defending Champions Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Before the match, there will be an opening ceremony for the upcoming season on the same ground, Eden Gardens. In the two-month-long tournament, KKR will play 14 matches. This article will discuss Kolkata Knight Riders' playing 11 for the upcoming first match of the season against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. 

KKR is coming into the tournament as the defending champion. The team won last season, winning 11 out of the 16 matches played. After an exceptional performance under the captaincy of Shreyas Iyer, the team was at the group stage in the top position. For IPL 2025, KKR has revamped its squad and will be led by new captain Ajinkya Rahane. 

KKR predicted playing XI for the upcoming match against RCB

Top Order

For the top order, Kolkata Knight will be having an explosive opening combination with South African wicketkeeper Quinton de cock Sunil Narayan, who started his career as a spinner but he has acted as an opener for the KKR in the last 5-6 years. At number 3, the new captain of the team, Ajinkya Rahane, is likely to bat. Rahane performed amazingly in the last domestic season, acorng back-to-back for centuries in most of the matches.

Middle Order

In the middle order, the team has Venkatesh Iyer, Rinku Singh, and explosive all-rounder Andre Russell. KKR, after releasing Venkatesh before the Mega auction, tried to get him at a reduced price, but the strategy backfired badly for the team as RCB was also eyeing Iyer in the auction. The bidding war reached 20 Crore with aggressive bids from both sides. KKR finally bought back Venkatesh Iyer at a price of 23 Crore, which it could have retained for 14 Crores. 

While at no. Five, the team will have Rinku Singh. One of Rinku's best abilities is his ability to act as a floater; wherever the team needs him, he can adapt to any role. Beyond just batting, he contributes immensely with his fielding. 

Lower order

In the lower order, Andre Russell will be batting. Andre has repeatedly showcased his ability to change the direction of the innings on his own. He will be one the most crucial batters in the world sometimes; the victory difference is his performance. Along with the batting, Russell also contributes to his bowling, giving multiple overs in the death.

Bowlers

KKR’s bowling lineup features the pace trio of Harshit Rana, Vaibhav Arora, and star South African pacer Anrich Nortje. Harshit recently joined India's test squad and performed well against Australia and the Border Gavaskar Trophy, while Vaibhav Arora is coming off after performing in domestic cricket. Anrich Nortje, after having some minor injuries, is back again in full swing and is all set to lead KKR’s pace attack. In the spin department, Varun Chakravarti will lead the team in the middle overs.

KKR Squad For IPL 2025

KKR Match Schedule For IPL 2025

Also Read:Kolkata Knight Riders vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Head To Head | IPL 2025