Where to watch KKR vs RCB IPL match? | Weather report, Playing 11

With the opening match between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), the defending champion, and perennial aspirer Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), the 18th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is totally going to kick off with a bang. Everyone is asking, “Where to watch KKR vs RCB?” This match rekindles old memories of the first 2008 match, as well as setting up a high anticipation and high-octane cricket season.

Historical perspective: Closer to the past

2008 saw KKR clash against RCB in what would prove to be the inaugural clash for the IPL at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru: Brendon McCullum’s explosive 158* in that match continues to haunt cricketing folklore, where the ball of the blazon mires the very beginning of what IPL would evolve in entertainment and top-tier cricket. Fast forward to 2025, and KKR has lifted the title thrice in its history, while RCB embarks on its quest for the elusive trophy. This Eden Gardens opening match allows RCB to challenge the reigning champions and perhaps turn their own history upside down.

Team Dynamics: New Leadership at the Helm

Both teams enter this season with new leaders. KKR has given the captaincy of the side to the experienced Ajinkya Rahane after Shreyas Iyer’s transfer to Punjab Kings. Ajinkya Rahane is an experienced cricketer who has led India to its victory in a Test series in Australia, thus bringing a lot of experience under the KKR umbrella. The main crux would be his vice-captain, Venkatesh Iyer. 

RCB, on the other hand, has made the transition from Faf du Plessis to new captain-in-waiting, Rajat Patidar. His rise to stardom was highlighted, particularly by his Eden Gardens marks in 2022 – the foundation for an intriguing subplot to this clash – with Patidar at the helm while RCB breaks their title drought.

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Pitch and Conditions: Eden Gardens Awaits

Eden Gardens has traditionally been a paradise for batsmen, offering true bounce-to-stroke play. The venue has seen high-scoring games, like that by Punjab Kings where they set the record chase of 262 runs. Out of the 93 matches of IPL here, teams batting second have won 55 times, thus proving the advantage of chasing in lights. 

However, for the track to get in sync with the bowlers, especially spinners like Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy, the track offers a turn as much as bounce, especially in the later phase of a game. The captains might prefer to chase the dew factor while ensuring that the pitch handles itself consistently under lights.

Weather Forecast: Rain Threat Looms 

Kolkata’s weather has concerns for the opening match. Rains interrupted practice just before the game, and an orange alert for Kolkata and adjoining regions was issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on March 22. There may be scattered showers during the match, while humidity will touch above 70 percent and wind speed may vary from around 11 to 15 kmph. The chance of rain decreases as the evening progresses, but the IMD’s warning will remain of likely disruption. 

The pitch at Eden Gardens also comes well equipped with provisions in pitch covering, along with a very efficient drainage system, enabling the speedy resumption of play in case of interruptions.

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Probable XII:

KKR: Sunil Narine, Quinton de Kock (wk), Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Ajinkya Rahane (c), Andre Russell, Venkatesh Iyer, Vaibhav Arora, Rinku Singh, Ramandeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Spencer Johnson, Varun Chakaravarthy

RCB: Phil Salt, Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar (c), Devdutt Padikkal, Tim David, Liam Livingstone,  Krunal Pandya, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal, Josh Hazlewood, Suyash Sharma/Rasikh Dar Salam

Key Players 

KKR: Ajinkya Rahane, Sunil Narine

RCB: Virat Kohli, Josh Hazlewood

Broadcast and Streaming Information 

Do you want to know Where to watch KKR vs RCB? Well here is the answer. Cricket fans can catch the action of KKR vs RCB match live across various platforms: 

Television: The match will be broadcast live on Star Sports Network, covering many languages for different audiences. 

Digital Streaming: For the viewers online, the match will stream on the app JioHotstar, available on subscription mobile devices as well as smart TVs. 

Timings: The game shall commence at 7:30 PM IST, with the toss occurring at 7:00 PM IST. An opening ceremony shall take place before the toss, adding to the spectacles of the event. citeturn0search11

Conclusion:

The IPL 2025 opener between KKR and RCB promises nostalgia and the very best of modern cricket. Though the weather can pose some challenges, fan anticipation has not waned. With new coach captains on board, both teams will look to kick off their season making their mark with their first victories. 

FAQs 

Q: When will the KKR vs RCB IPL 2025 opening match begin? 

A: The KKR vs RCB match starts at 19:30 IST, with the toss scheduled at 19:00 IST. 

Q: Where to catch all the live action of the KKR vs RCB match? 

A: The match can be watched on Star Sports Network and live streaming is done on JioHotstar. 

Q: Will rain cause a problem for the KKR vs RCB match? 

A: Isolated showers are expected on match day, but unless it’s a strong deluge, the match will hardly feel the rain thanks to Eden Gardens’ efficient drainage system.

Q: Who will be the captains for KKR and RCB in this match? 

A: Ajinkya Rahane will be captain of KKR, while this match will be the first match in IPL 2025 for RCBS captain Rajat Patidar.