Royal Challenger Bengaluru (RCB) is about to launch a campaign in IPL 2025 with a strong note as it faces Reaging Champions Kolkata Night Rider (KKR). The appetite-inducing clash is scheduled to take place on Saturday (March 22nd) at Eden Garden in Kolkata.
RCB wants to launch a campaign strongly and avoid the kind of situation last season. They were about to be knocked out in the league stage of IPL 2024 after losing seven of their first eight games.
However, they staged an incredible turnaround and won six games in a row to reach the playoffs. Their dream run finally ended with a defeat against the Rajasthan Royals in the Eliminator.
For IPL 2025, Royal Challenger Bengaluru nominated Rajat Patidar as new captain after releasing FAF Du Plessis. They hope that their new captain will finally lead them to glory.
So, as RCB is preparing for the tournament opener, we are seeing RCB play 11 for the game against KKR.
RCB plays 11 vs KKR-IPL 2025, Match 1.
Opener: Virat Kohli, Phil Salt (WK)
Faf du Plessis is not part of royal challenger Bengaluru Camp, and the franchise will set up a new opening combination for IPL 2025. Phil Salt could potentially replace Duplesis with RCB, who will play 11 this season. Salt took a key role in the team’s winning campaign last season, plying on KKR deals.
He has ample knowledge of the conditions of Eden Gardens and wants to make the most of it. The right-handed batsman scored 435 runs in 12 games at strike rates of over 180 last season.
Partnering with salt at the top of the order is nothing but batting superstar Virat Kohli. Royal Challenger Bengaluru is desperate to win his first IPL trophy, so the responsibility becomes a senior batter and delivers it again with the bat. Kohli had an outstanding season with bats last year, finishing the tournament as the best lanseller.
In a season when other batters weren’t even able to reach the 600-run mark, Kohli scored 741 runs on over 150 strike rates.
Intermediate batters and all-rounders: Rajat Patidar (C), Devdutt Padikkal, Liam Livingstone, Tim David, Krunal Pandya
The RCB has formed a scary intermediate for IPL 2025 and hopes players can meet their expectations. The responsibility is made to newly appointed Captain Rajat Patidar to lead the team from the front.
Patidar is trying to impress one person with his blow, especially against spinners last year, and is about to deliver it again.
He scored 395 runs last season with almost 180 strike rates. Royal Challengers’ Bengaluru has also re-signed Devdot Paddickar, hoping that the local boy will re-record the mojo and enjoy the good season with the bats. He played for RCB in 2020 and 2021, scoring over 400 runs in both seasons.
The all-around and finisher of RCB Play 11 are expected to be Liam Livingston, Tim David and Croan Pandia. All three players can change the course of the game and they become keen to begin their journey with RCB with good notes.
Livingston has played 39 IPL games so far, earning 939 runs on 160 strike rates, including six half-century. He also took 11 wickets in part-time bowling.
Meanwhile, David was able to blow any team out of his day. He played for the Mumbai Indians last season. Krunal can provide match-winning performances on both bat and ball. An experienced allrounder, Krunal has played 127 IPL matches so far, scoring 1647 runs in addition to winning 76 wickets.
Bowlers: Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal, Suyash Sharma
The bowling lineup has always been a weak link for Royal Challenger Bengaluru, but the franchise has been able to form a strong lineup this season. They hope to add some proven campaigns to their teams, and that players will meet their expectations.
Experienced pacer Bhubneshwar Kumar is set to lead the paced attacks with Josh Hezlwood and Yash Dial as another fast bowler. Meanwhile, Suyash Sharma is expected to be the only frontline spinner of the RCB.