The stage is set for the highly anticipated first match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, which is scheduled to take place at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata on March 22. The defending champions, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), will face off against the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in what promises to be a thrilling encounter. KKR boasts a formidable lineup, with the likes of captain Ajinkya Rahane, Rinku Singh, and Andre Russell, known for their explosive batting prowess. On the other hand, RCB will be led by the talented Rajat Patidar and features a star-studded cast, including Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and Josh Hazlewood. However, the weather forecast suggests that the match may be under threat due to the possibility of rain.
According to AccuWeather, there’s a 40% chance of rain on March 22, with dark clouds expected to loom over the stadium throughout the day. The match between RCB and KKR is scheduled to start at 7:30 PM IST, and the evening forecast predicts overcast conditions, strong winds, and even a chance of thunderstorms, which could potentially disrupt the proceedings. The weather conditions may play a significant role in determining the outcome of the match, and both teams will need to be prepared for any eventuality.
Looking back at the previous season, KKR had a remarkable campaign, winning their third IPL title by defeating Sunrisers Hyderabad in the final by eight wickets. In contrast, RCB had a disappointing start to their season but made a stunning comeback in the latter half, only to be eliminated by Rajasthan Royals in the eliminator. The team will be looking to bounce back stronger this season under the leadership of Rajat Patidar.
Here’s a look at the squads for both teams:
- KKR: Ajinkya Rahane (captain), Rinku Singh, Quinton de Kock, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Anukul Roy, Venkatesh Iyer, Ramandeep Singh, Andre Russell, Anrich Nortje, Harshit Rana, Sunil Narine, Varun Chakravarthy, Vaibhav Arora, Mayank Markande, Rovman Powell, Manish Pandey, Spencer Johnson, Luvnith Sisodia, Moeen Ali, Umran Malik.
- RCB: Rajat Patidar (captain), Yash Dayal, Josh Hazlewood, Phil Salt, Jitesh Sharma, Liam Livingstone, Rasikh Dar, Suyash Sharma, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Swapnil Singh, Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Naveen-ul-Haq, Manoj Bhandage, Jacob Bethell, Devdutt Padikkal, Swastik Chikara, Lungi Ngidi, Abhinandan Singh, Mohit Rathod.
As the teams gear up for the new season, fans can expect an exciting contest between two evenly matched sides. With the weather forecast looking uncertain, it will be interesting to see how the teams adapt to the conditions and make the most of the opportunity to start their campaign on a winning note. Will KKR continue their winning streak, or will RCB cause an upset? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain – the first match of IPL 2025 is going to be an unforgettable experience for cricket enthusiasts.