By Akshay - March 17, 2025 11:03 PMRCB Predicted Playing 11: IPL 2025 will begin with a thrilling match between Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Both the teams have a very balanced team and they will be hoping to win the first match.
RCB will have a strong top order with the presence of Virat Kohli, Phil Salt and Rajat Patidar. Kohli is the biggest asset and has the ability to take over the innings by aggressively picking up the pace when needed. Phil Salt, the new addition to the RCB family, will make the best use of the powerplay and put pressure on the KKR bowlers. The newly-appointed captain of RCB will also play his natural aggressive game and stabilize the innings.
The presence of Jitesh Sharma, Liam Livingstone and Tim David in the middle order will prove to be the most lethal. Livingstone knows how to play a fast-paced innings while Tim David is a power-hitter from Australia who can be RCB's dream finisher. Jitesh Sharma, on the other hand, brings a lot of stability and aggression to the batting lineup.
RCB's bowling attack is a mix of experience and youth. Bhuvneshwar Kumar is the experienced swing bowler who will certainly lead the fast bowling attack. He will be accompanied by Josh Hazlewood, the tall Australian pacer who will provide the right bounce and accuracy. Left-arm pacer Yash Dayal adds variety to the attack with his tight bowling lines, especially in the middle overs.
Meanwhile, Rasikh Salam, a young and promising pacer is likely to do wonders for RCB with his raw pace and deceptive variations. Completing the pack will be mystery spinner Suyvash Sharma who will be a big trouble for KKR batsmen on the Eden Gardens surface.
Rajat Patidar (captain), Phil Salt, Virat Kohli, Jitesh Sharma, Liam Livingstone, Tim David, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal, Rasikh Salam Dar, Suvyash Sharma
