3 KKR Players Who Can Be Match-Winners Vs RCB In IPL 2025 Opener

Aashay Chopade

Andre Russell vs RCB in IPL 2024 (Source: IPLT20.com)Andre Russell vs RCB in IPL 2024 (Source: IPLT20.com)

The IPL 2025 is all set to kickstart with a blockbuster encounter between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). The game will be played at the Eden Gardens, the den of KKR, and they would be hoping to start their title defence on a positive note.

The Men in Purple and Gold, have a new captain this year, with some new players too. However, they have also retained their core and let's now see who will be the three players to watch out from KKR squad in the opening encounter against RCB.

1. Sunil Narine

Sunil Narine has been the pillar of KKR's success for more than a decade now. He has played a big role in all their title wins and in the last season, he displayed his class with both bat and ball. He is likely to don the opening role again this season, and last year, he smashed 47 off 22 balls against RCB, and was impressive with the ball as well.

Sunil Narine's Bowling Record vs RCB

Criterion
Data
Innings20
Wickets26
Average20.58
Strike-Rate18.46

As evident in the table, he has been effective with the ball as well, and has three four wicket-hauls with an economy rate of just 6.69. His strike-rate with the bat is 182.91 which shows clearly that he likes to take on RCB bowlers and could make an impact again on flat deck at Eden.

He has 70 wickets at Eden Gardens too with an average of 19.96, while  has two fifties in 35 innings at the ground. So, he is surely a player to watch out against RCB with his all-round skills.

2. Andre Russell

Andre Russell is another star all-rounder who has been and will be key for KKR this season. His destructive batting has caught the attention of the cricket world over the years, and against RCB his record has been fantastic as shown in the table below. In 16 innings, he has hit 38 sixes against RCB and can go after RCB's fragile bowling attack once again.

Andre Russell's Batting Record vs RCB

Criterion
Data
Innings16
Runs423
Average38.45
Strike-Rate198.59

He has 17 wickets as well and has the knack of picking wickets at crucial junctures. Also, he has close to 1000 runs at Eden Gardens with a strike-rate of around 190. Also, RCB lack a reliable death bowler and Russell can make them pay with his immense power and quality past record.

3. Varun Chakaravthy

The mystery spinner is in the form of his life and recently played a big role in India's Champions Trophy squad. He has been brilliant for KKR too and has picked 41 wickets in last two seasons. This year, RCB have English batters in their line-up who tend to struggle against spin and Varun can be effective against them.

Varun Chakaravarthy's Bowling Record vs RCB

Criterion
Data
Innings10
Wickets14
Average18.29
Strike-Rate16.14

As shown in the table, he has a good record against RCB, while he has played two matches against them at Eden, and one of them has fetched him a four-wicket haul. His overall record in Eden has also been good with 21 wickets in 15 innings, thus, he is a player to watch out in the opening game of IPL 2025.