Virat Kohli and Sunil Narine- (Source:@Johns/X.com)
IPL 2024's defending champions, Kolkata Knight Riders, are ready to defend their title with the new team they formed at the IPL 2025 mega-auction. They have built a strong team, but also face strong competition from other others, particularly, RCB, who are eyeing their maiden title.
The Challengers underwent a complete overhaul and have a new-looking balanced side that are ready to compete and win the IPL trophy. Meanwhile, this article will analyse the two strong teams and make a combined XI.
Openers Of RCB And KKR Combined
Virat Kohli and Sunil Narine
What better than have two of the leading run-getters of IPL 2024 to open the innings. Notably, Virat won the orange cap last season as he amassed 741 runs, which featured a century and five fifty-plus scores.
Narine, on the other hand, had also scored 488 runs that included a century. He was also the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of IPL 2024.
Middle Order Of RCB And KKR Combined
Venkatesh Iyer, Jitesh Sharma, Rinku Singh, Liam Livingstone
The middle-order is also power-packed as Venkatesh Iyer, who recently became the highest-paid all-rounder in the IPL auction can chip in with crucial runs at the top order. Jitesh, who was PBKS vice-captain last season, has been roped in by RCB and has been handy in wicket-keeping.
Meanwhile, Rinku needs no introduction as he alongside Liam Livingstone will don the role of power-hitters. Having two big power hitters in the team of Rinku and Livingstone's calibre is a plus for any side. Also, Liam can chip in a few overs when required by the team on a turning track like Chepauk and Eden Gardens.
All-Rounders Of RCB And KKR Combined
Andre Russell, Krunal Pandya
Despite the impact player rule in IPL, the importance of all-rounders can't be undermined especially when they are of the calibre of Krunal Pandya and Andre Russell.
Russell will go down in history as one of the best all-rounder in the IPL. He too proved in IPL 2024 when he contributed both with the bat and the ball. Meanwhile, Krunal is still at his peak and chips in with runs with the ball towards the end of the innings and also bowls economical four overs of spin.
Bowlers Of RCB And KKR Combined
Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Varun Chakravarthy
Bhuvneshwar was recently bought by RCB as they want to cash in the experience of star India seamer. Bhuvi can provide the early breakthrough in the powerplay with his lethal swing.
Meanwhile, Josh Hazlewood is arguably the best overseas seam bowling option in the two teams. Varun has formed a great partnership with Sunil Narine and he was the best spinner in IPL 2024. It also helped him play for India again and he has been shining like a bright star.
Impact Player
Harshit Rana
Rana impressed the critics in IPL 2024 and it also earned him his maiden India cap in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He was RCB's highest wicket-taker among seamers in IPL 2024 and it resulted in the franchise retaining him for four crores.
Strongest Playing 12 Of RCB And KKR Combined For IPL 2025
Virat Kohli (C)
Sunil Narine ✈️
Venkatesh Iyer
Jitesh Sharma
Rinku Singh
Liam Livingstone✈️
Andre Russell✈️
Krunal Pandya
Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Josh Hazlewood✈️
Varun Chakaravarthy
Impact Player - Harshit Rana
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