IPL 2025 KKR vs RCB | Battle of the new skippers: who among Rahane and Patidar will start with a victory?

Exciting IPL-18 season opener at Eden Gardens as KKR and RCB led by new captains Rahane and Patidar clash.

‘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.