![KKR vs RCB Match 1 Statistical Preview [Source: @KKRiders/X]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1742544866023_virat_kohli_venkatesh_iyer.jpg?type=tq)
KKR vs RCB Match 1 Statistical Preview [Source: @KKRiders/X]
The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 is all set to kick off with a mouth-watering clash between defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). The high-voltage encounter will take place on Saturday, March 22 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
KKR will be eager to begin their title defense on a high and become only the third team in IPL history to win back-to-back titles. While they will miss the presence of their title-winning skipper Shreyas Iyer, the team has retained its core and looks as formidable as ever. For IPL 2025, experienced campaigner Ajinkya Rahane has been handed the captaincy.
On the other hand, RCB will be looking for a fresh start after falling short in the playoffs last season. Despite a poor start in 2024, they bounced back well to reach the Eliminator. However, their wait for a maiden IPL title continues. In a significant leadership change, RCB have appointed Rajat Patidar as their new captain after parting ways with Faf du Plessis.
KKR vs RCB Historical Overview in IPL
The rivalry between KKR and RCB has always delivered thrilling contests. The two teams have faced off 34 times in IPL history with KKR having the upper hand with 20 wins to RCB’s 14. At Eden Gardens, the home side has dominated, winning 8 of the 12 matches played there against RCB.
KKR and RCB Probable Playing XI
Kolkata Knight Riders
Quinton de Kock (wk), Sunil Narine, Ajinkya Rahane (c), Venkatesh Iyer, Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Ramandeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Anrich Nortje, Vaibhav Arora, Varun Chakravarthy
Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Virat Kohli, Phil Salt (wk), Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (c), Liam Livingstone, Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal, Suyash Sharma
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Top Run-Scorers In KKR vs RCB
We have considered top run-scorers between the two sides from current squads
Virat Kohli: 962 Runs
Virat Kohli leads the charge with the bat against KKR, having scored 962 runs in 35 matches. He averages 37.00 with a strike rate of 131.42 and has notched up six fifties and one century with his ton coming at Eden Gardens in 2019.
Andre Russell: 392 Runs
Andre Russell has been a consistent performer against RCB as he has amassed 392 runs in 16 matches at an impressive average of 39.20 and an explosive strike rate of 197.97. He also has one fifty to his name.
Sunil Narine: 289 Runs
Sunil Narine may be known for his bowling but he has contributed with the bat too. He has scored 289 runs in 21 matches against RCB with an average of 28.9 and a strike rate of 182.91, including two fifties.
Top Wicket-Takers In KKR vs RCB
We have considered top wicket-takers between the two sides from current squads
Sunil Narine: 26 Wickets
Sunil Narine has been KKR’s go-to man with the ball against RCB. In 21 games, he has picked up 26 wickets at an average of 20.57 and an economy rate of 6.68. He also has three four-wicket hauls.
Andre Russell: 17 Wickets
Andre Russell’s contribution with the ball is just as vital. He has taken 17 wickets in 16 matches against RCB at an average of 22.64 and an economy rate of 9.27 with best figures of 3/9.
Varun Chakravarthy: 14 Wickets
Varun Chakravarthy has emerged as a key weapon against RCB, bagging 14 wickets in 10 matches at an average of 18.28 and an economy of 6.79. He also has a four-wicket haul to his name.
KKR vs RCB Key Stats
KKR’s Key Records
- KKR has won all four matches against RCB over the last two seasons.
- Sunil Narine has dismissed Virat Kohli four times in 16 innings.
- KKR has won 52 out of their 88 matches at Eden Gardens.
RCB’s Key Records
- RCB has lost their last four encounters against KKR.
- RCB has won only 5 out of 13 matches played at Eden Gardens.
- Virat Kohli ranks third in the list of most runs scored against KKR in IPL history. Only David Warner (1,093) and Rohit Sharma (1,070) are ahead of him.
- Kohli’s only IPL century against KKR came in 2019 at Eden Gardens where he scored 100 off 58 balls.
Records Which Could Be Broken In KKR vs RCB Match 1 Of IPL 2025
- Virat Kohli needs 38 more runs to complete 1,000 runs against KKR in IPL.
- Andre Russell is just 29 runs away from surpassing Jacques Kallis and AB de Villiers on the list of most runs in KKR vs RCB encounters.
- If Russell picks up three wickets, he will surpass Yuzvendra Chahal to become the second-highest wicket-taker in KKR vs RCB clashes.
- A 54-run partnership between Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal will take their tally to 1,000 IPL runs as a pair.
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