By Chirag - May 15, 2025 09:01 AM
After a brief mid-season break, the IPL 2025 is scheduled to begin, fueling cricket fans enthusiasm. The 58th match of the tournament will witness a thrilling face-off between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru on Saturday, May 17, at 7:30 PM IST.
Interestingly, the season had opened with these very two teams clashing at Eden Gardens on March 22, where RCB emerged victorious, comfortably chasing down 175 within 17 overs. As the second half of IPL 2025 kicks off, both sides will aim to solidify their playoff ambitions with a crucial win.
The weather in Bengaluru is expected to be overcast throughout the day, with light drizzles possible during match hours. The temperature will hover around 23°C, accompanied by high humidity (around 90%), which might affect players' stamina and fielding agility. Although rain interruptions aren't guaranteed, a slight delay or Duckworth-Lewis method scenario cannot be ruled out.
The Chinnaswamy surface continues to be a batting paradise, often producing high-scoring encounters. Historically, this ground is known for its short boundaries and true bounce, which allows batters to play through the line with ease.
However, fast bowlers with the new ball might get some initial swing and bounce, especially under the cloud cover. Despite that, teams typically aim to score over 200 runs when batting first. Out of 96 IPL matches played here, chasing teams have won 53 times, while batting-first sides have prevailed 43 times. The average first-innings score at this venue stands around 168 runs.
These two storied franchises have locked horns 35 times in IPL history. Kolkata Knight Riders hold the edge with 20 wins, while Royal Challengers Bengaluru have emerged victorious in 15 matches. Their battles have always been competitive, marked by standout individual performances.
Image Source: IPL-X
1. Phil Salt, 2. Virat Kohli, 3. Rajat Patidar (c), 4. Liam Livingstone, 5. Jitesh Sharma (wk), 6. Tim David, 7. Krunal Pandya, 8. Swapnil Singh, 9. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 10. Lungi Ngidi, 11. Yash Dayal
Impact Player: 1. Mayank Agarwal
Image Source: IPL-X
1. Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), 2. Sunil Narine, 3. Venkatesh Iyer, 4. Ajinkya Rahane (c), 5. Manish Pandey, 6. Rinku Singh, 7. Andre Russell, 8. Anrich Nortje, 9. Varun Chakravarthy, 10. Harshit Rana, 11. Vaibhav Arora
Impact Player: 1. Rovman Powell
Based on current form, pitch conditions, and squad balance, our AI prediction model gives a 56 percent winning probability to RCB, considering their superior recent performances and home advantage. KKR, despite their experienced squad, will need standout performances from their senior players to stage a comeback.
As the second half of IPL 2025 kicks off, both teams have different motivations — RCB are aiming for a top-two finish, while KKR are desperate to stay in the playoff hunt. With a possibly rain-affected game on the cards and the Chinnaswamy surface promising fireworks, fans can expect a cracker of a contest under lights in Bengaluru.
Also Read: RCB vs KKR Dream11 Prediction, Team, Playing 11, Pitch and Weather Report
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