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

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

The next season of the Indian Premier League is just around the corner. IPL 2025 will start on 22nd March with a match between two of the biggest rivals, Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The first match of the season will be played at the Eden Garden home ground of the defending champions KKR and will start at 7:30 PM after the opening ceremony. In this article, we discuss Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s playing XI for Match No. 1 against KKR. 

RCB has revamped its squad in the IPL 2025 Mega Auction, where they acquired a lot of aggressive batters, most of them are from England: Phil Salt, the explosive opener; young, exciting talent Jacob Bethell; and batting all-rounder Liam Livingston, while also acquiring lower order batter and all-rounder Tim David. While in the last season, RCB had a bad start, losing 6 out of the first seven matches played, but what happened after that will be remembered for decades as RCB won its last six matches in a row to qualify for the playoffs while in the Eliminator team lost to Rajasthan Royals.

RCB predicted playing XI for the upcoming match against KKR

Top Order

For the top order, RCB will have one of the most destructive combinations with Virat Kohli and Phil Salt opening the innings while Rajat Patidar batting at no. 3. The legacy of Virat Kohli is known to everyone. He is also the highest run-scorer in the IPL and is coming off as the highest run-scorer of the last season. Virat has already gained back his form in the recent Champions Trophy and is looking in form for the upcoming IPL 2025. Along with him, there will be Phil Salt, who is known for giving explosive starts, while the new captain, Rajat Patidar, will be batting at number three.

Middle Order

In the middle order, RCB will have the English batter Liam Livingstone, who is well-known for hitting long sixes. Last year, he played for Punjab Kings, and he will be a crucial middle-order batter for RCB this season. Livingstone, along with batting, can also give the team a few overs with his off-spin. The team will also have Jitesh Sharma, the wicketkeeper, whom RCB bought at a price of 11 crore in the auction, and Tim David as a finisher.

Lower order

In the lower order, Krunal Pandya will be leading the team along with Tim David and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who also can bat if needed.

Bowlers

In the bowling department, the trio includes star Australian pacer Josh Hazelwood, experienced Indian pacer Bhubaneswar Kumar, who is well-known for his swing abilities, and Yash Dayal, the third pacer. In the spin department, Suyash Sharma will lead the charge along with Krunal Pandya and Liam Livingstone in the middle overs.

RCB Squad For IPL 2025

RCB Match Schedule For IPL 2025

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