Ajinkya Rahane, Rajat Patidar to Lead as Kolkata and Bengaluru Renew Rivalry at Eden Gardens
The IPL 2025 season is all set to kick off with a nostalgic and high-voltage clash between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at Eden Gardens on Saturday. Remarkably, this season opener mirrors the inaugural match of IPL 2008, marking 17 years since the two teams first faced off in the opening game of the league.
With both franchises entering the new season under fresh leadership, the stakes are high and fans are eager to see which team can set the tone early.
2008 to 2025: A Full-Circle Moment
The first-ever IPL match in 2008 saw KKR dominate RCB, posting 222/3 in 20 overs before bundling out Bengaluru for just 82 runs, winning by a massive 140-run margin. That iconic game featured Brendon McCullum’s unforgettable 158*, setting the stage for IPL’s future.
Now in 2025, history will repeat — at least in terms of matchup — with Ajinkya Rahane leading KKR and Rajat Patidar captaining RCB for the first time.
Head-to-Head: KKR Has the Upper Hand
Over 17 seasons, KKR and RCB have faced off 34 times in the IPL, with Kolkata winning 20 of those encounters compared to RCB’s 14 wins. The numbers clearly show KKR’s historical dominance, especially in pressure situations and at key venues.
Venue Watch: Eden Gardens
Eden Gardens is traditionally a high-scoring ground, but it also offers assistance to spinners in the second innings. This makes toss and team combinations vital in determining the outcome of the game.
- KKR’s highest score vs RCB: 222/6 (IPL 2024, Eden Gardens)
- RCB’s highest score vs KKR: 221 (IPL 2024, Eden Gardens)
- KKR’s lowest score vs RCB: 84/8 (IPL 2020, Abu Dhabi)
- RCB’s lowest score vs KKR: 49 (IPL 2017, Eden Gardens)
Weather Watch
While excitement is high, rain could play spoilsport, with the IMD issuing an orange alert for Kolkata. Practice sessions have already been affected, but the Eden Gardens ground staff is well-equipped to manage interruptions.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.