KKR vs RCB IPL 2025 Predicted Playing 11: The much-anticipated 18th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2025) kicks off today (Saturday) with defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) taking on Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the iconic Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
This season opener promises an electrifying clash, as Ajinkya Rahane leads KKR against RCB’s newly appointed captain, Rajat Patidar. While KKR boasts an impressive record in IPL openers, winning six out of seven curtain-raiser matches, RCB has struggled in the first game of the season, managing just one victory in five attempts.
KKR enters the tournament as the reigning champions after defeating Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL 2024 final, securing their third title—making them the third-most successful franchise after Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians, both with five trophies.
IPL 2025 Format & Venues
The tournament will feature 74 matches across 13 venues, including 12 double-headers throughout the season. The final and Qualifier 2 will be held in Kolkata, while Hyderabad will host Qualifier 1 and the Eliminator.
KKR vs RCB, IPL 2025: Predicted Playing XI
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, Rajat Patidar (c), Liam Livingstone, Krunal Pandya, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Tim David, Rasikh Dar/Manoj Bhandage, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal
Impact Sub – Swapnil Singh/Suyash Sharma
Kolkata Knight Riders: Quinton de Kock (wk), Sunil Narine, Ajinkya Rahane (c), Venkatesh Iyer, Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Ramandeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Vaibhav Arora, Spencer Johnson, Varun Chakaravarthy
Impact Sub – Angkrish Raghuvanshi/Luvnith Sisodia
KKR vs RCB, IPL 2025: Full Squad
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR): Ajinkya Rahane (c), Rinku Singh, Quinton de Kock, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Venkatesh Iyer, Ramandeep Singh, Andre Russell, Anrich Nortje, Harshit Rana, Sunil Narine, Varun Chakaravarthy, Vaibhav Arora, Mayank Markande, Rovman Powell, Manish Pandey, Spencer Johnson, Luvnith Sisodia, Anukul Roy, Moeen Ali, Chetan Sakariya.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB): Rajat Patidar (c), Virat Kohli, Yash Dayal, Josh Hazlewood, Phil Salt, Jitesh Sharma, Liam Livingstone, Rasikh Dar, Suyash Sharma, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Swapnil Singh, Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Nuwan Thushara, Manoj Bhandage, Jacob Bethel, Devdutt Padikkal, Swastik Chhikara, Lungi Ngidi, Abhinandan Singh, Mohit Rathee.