Clarity of roles: While Kohli is expected to open the batting for RCB, Hazlewood’s duty will be to get wickets with the new ball.
| Photo Credit: RITU RAJ KONWAR
‘Well begun is half done’ should be the mantra for Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bengaluru when they, led by new captains Ajinkya Rahane and Rajat Patidar respectively, meet in the much-awaited Indian Premier League-18 season opener at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Saturday (March 22, 2025).
Despite the rain threat, the fans are excited to witness some high-quality action preceded by a music-and-dance show, starring actor Disha Patani and singer Shreya Ghoshal, as an IPL opener returns to the Eden after a decade.
Armed with the wisdom of Rahane and Virat Kohli, the two well-balanced sides will look to adapt to the pitch, known for staging high-scoring entertainers.
A 20-14 win-loss record, including a thrilling one-run win here in their last encounter, against RCB will give defending champion KKR a psychological edge.
With a semi-new setup at the helm and a seasoned bunch in its core, the KKR steering wheel has changed hands from a younger and exuberant Shreyas Iyer to a mature and composed Rahane.
While Quinton de Kock and Sunil Narine can provide a brisk start, Rahane and his deputy Venkatesh Iyer will remain flexible. Trusted accelerators Rinku Singh and Andre Russell will await the death overs.
Mystery spinners Narine, Varun Chakaravarthy, and pacers Harshit Rana, Anrich Nortjea, or Spencer Johnson will be important components in the KKR attack.
KKR players during a practice session at the Eden Gardens.
| Photo Credit:
RITU RAJ KONWAR
Mainstay
Patidar, with the added responsibility of captaincy, and Kohli, capable of dividing the spectators, will be RCB’s batting mainstay. Former KKR opener Phil Salt will perform his explosive role in different colours, while the big-hitting Tim David can be useful later.
Pacers Josh Hazelwood, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Yash Dayal, and spinners Liam Livingstone and Krunal Pandya are prominent faces in RCB bowling.
The contest, the first one with new regulations, should be fascinating.
Published – March 21, 2025 06:37 pm IST