The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 is set to kick off with an electrifying clash between defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the iconic Eden Gardens, Kolkata, on March 22, 2025. As both teams eye a winning start, fantasy cricket enthusiasts will be eager to pick their best Dream11 team.
Match Details
- Match: Kolkata Knight Riders vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru, IPL 2025, Match 1
- Date and Time: March 22, 2025, 07:30 PM IST | 02:00 PM GMT
- Venue: Eden Gardens, Kolkata
Eden Gardens Pitch Report
Eden Gardens is renowned for its batting-friendly surface, promising a high-scoring contest. The pitch allows for free stroke play, making it a paradise for aggressive batters. While spinners could gain some advantage in the latter half, the game is expected to favor power hitters and stroke-makers.
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KKR vs RCB: Dream11 Prediction Picks
Wicketkeepers:
- Quinton de Kock
- Phil Salt
Batters:
- Virat Kohli
- Venkatesh Iyer
- Rajat Patidar
- Rinku Singh
All-rounders:
- Sunil Narine
- Andre Russell
Bowlers:
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar
- Josh Hazlewood
- Varun Chakravarthy
Dream11 Captain & Vice-Captain Choices:
- Option 1: Sunil Narine (C), Virat Kohli (VC)
- Option 2: Varun Chakravarthy (C), Josh Hazlewood (VC)
Backup Options for Dream11 Team:
- Angkrish Raghuvanshi
- Ramandeep Singh
- Jitesh Sharma
Squads for KKR vs RCB IPL 2025 Match 1
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) Squad:
Rinku Singh, Quinton de Kock, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Venkatesh Iyer, Ramandeep Singh, Andre Russell, Anrich Nortje, Harshit Rana, Sunil Narine, Varun Chakravarthy, Vaibhav Arora, Mayank Markhande, Rovman Powell, Manish Pandey, Spencer Johnson, Luvnith Sisodia, Ajinkya Rahane (C), Anukul Roy, Moeen Ali, Chetan Sakariya
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) Squad:
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 Bethell, Devdutt Padikkal, Swastik Chhikara, Lungi Ngidi, Abhinandan Singh, Mohit Rathee
Expert Match Prediction
- KKR Strengths: A balanced squad with powerful all-rounders like Sunil Narine and Andre Russell, a strong spin attack, and experienced batters.
- RCB Strengths: Led by Rajat Patidar, RCB boasts firepower with Virat Kohli, Liam Livingstone, and Josh Hazlewood in their ranks.
- Who Has the Edge? KKR, playing at home, will start as slight favorites, but RCB’s revamped squad could pose a challenge.
Final Thoughts & Fantasy Cricket Tips
- Batters will dominate, so prioritize stroke-makers in your fantasy lineup.
- Spinners like Narine and Chakravarthy could be key in the second innings.
- All-rounders will be game-changers, so picking Narine or Russell as captain is a safe choice.
Who will win the opening clash of IPL 2025? Drop your predictions in the comments below! 
