Kolkata Knight Riders vs Royal Challengers Bangalore Preview & Tips - KKR to begin IPL title-defence with win over RCB

By Ben Darvill

19 Mar 2025

Ben Darvill 19 Mar 2025

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Kolkata Knight Riders vs Royal Challengers Bangalore IPL Preview & Tips
KKR face RCB in the opening match of the 2025 IPL
Preview, stats & head to head

Kolkata Knight Riders' Andre Russell (Getty Images)

Kolkata Knight Riders vs Royal Challengers Bangalore Preview & Tips

Kolkata Knight Riders arrive for the new season with a major target on their backs after they secured the silverware in IPL 2024.

Kolkata Knight Riders vs Royal Challengers Bangalore Preview & Tips
Head To Head
Kolkata Knight Riders Form
Royal Challengers Bangalore Form

Royal Challengers Bangalore were knocked out in the Eliminator last season as they fell agonisingly short of the trophy.

KKR have won their last six matches
RCB have lost their last four against KKR
Virat Kohli comes into this one after scoring 218 runs in the Champions Trophy

Head To Head

KKR have won six of their last 10 against RCB, with the latter winning four times. Importantly, KKR have won their last four against their opponents.

Kolkata Knight Riders Form

KKR were outstanding across the 2024 IPL as they battled to the top of the table in the regular season with nine wins from 14. The 20 points they notched ensured they stayed clear of the congested places below them in a very tight season.

Following on from their brilliant league campaign, they then easily beat Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Qualifier before then hammering the same opponent in the final. Ultimately, KKR's batting and bowling lineup proved far too strong for most sides in the competition.

This year, KKR will have to be even better as each opponent they face will be desperate to make a statement as they beat the champions. Fortunately for the champions, they play at home in their opening match, and I predict that they will build on their four consecutive wins over RCB with victory in the opening game of the IPL in 2025.

Royal Challengers Bangalore Form

Royal Challengers Bangalore enjoyed a big improvement in 2024 as they went from finishing sixth in the table in 2023 to securing a playoff place in 2024.

However, that is where the improvement ended, with RCB knocked out of the competition in the Eliminator at the hands of Rajasthan Royals. This match saw RCB notch a competitive 172/8 in their 20 overs, but they could not contain RR, who cantered to their target with four wickets and six balls to spare. Ultimately, RCB's all-round attack failed when it mattered most.

Virat Kohli was exceptional in the 2024 IPL as he top scored with a massive 741 runs at an average of 61.75. He also arrives for the tournament having scored 218 runs in India's successful Champions Trophy campaign. While I do not back the visitors to win their opening match, I am backing their best player to hit the ground running in 2025.

Verdict

Kolkata Knight Riders v Royal Challengers Bangalore

I am backing KKR to secure the victory as they get their title-defence off to a winning start. I am also backing Kohli to top score for RCB as he begins his own campaign in style.