KKR vs RCB LIVE: Exceptional bowling

Krunal Pandya picked up three huge wickets, getting Ajinkya Rahane, Venkatesh Iyer and Rinku Singh. His 3/29 helped RCB put the brakes on KKR in the middle overs. Fine spell by Hazlewood at the top and the death, ending with figures of 2/22.

A big job in front of Varun Chakravarthy and co, if the reigning champs want to start their title defence on a winning note.

KKR vs RCB LIVE: Terrific fightback by RCB

KKR were running away with it at 107/1 in 9.5 overs, led by Ajinkya Rahane and Sunil Narine. But crucial wickets by Krunal Pandya and excellent death bowling by Josh Hazlewood and Yash Dayal has meant that they’ve managed only 174.

KKR 174/8 (20 overs)

RCB Target: 175

KKR vs RCB LIVE: Hazlewood gets Rana!

One more wicket! Hazlewood has bowled a sensational final over. Three dots and a lucky boundary, and now Hazlewood gets Harshit Rana. The tailender tries to go big, doesn’t get the timing and Jitesh Sharma takes a good catch. What a comeback by RCB into this contest.

KKR 173/9 (19.5)

IPL 2025 LIVE: OUT!

What a 19th over this is by Yash Dayal. Raghuvanshi tries to go big, picks up an edge and caught behind by Jitesh Sharma. KKR have got only 3 runs in five balls in this over. The Knight Riders have lost their way in the middle overs, and RCB are on top here.

KKR 168/7 (18.5)

IPL 2025 LIVE: 6! Raghuvanshi

Much-needed SIX by Angkrish Raghuvanshi. Knuckle ball by Hazlewood, and dispatched over mid-wicket by the youngster. KKR need these runs desperately. Their dreams of 200 are fading away, and they need some lusty blows here. 

Still, only 10 off the over at a crucial stage.

KKR 165/6 (18)

IPL 2025 LIVE: Impact Player on!

Suyash Sharma off, Devdutt Padikkal on! That’s the first impact player swap of IPL 2025. Padikkal is expected to bat at No. 3 or No. 4 for RCB in the middle order. Let’s see how he does.

IPL 2025 LIVE: RCB’s “weakness” thriving

After the auction, RCB looked thin in the spin-bowling department. But they’ve stepped up today. Krunal Pandya with an exceptional spell, and now Suyash has also made his mark on the wickets’  column. Looks like spin and pace off is the way forward for bowlers on this Eden track.

KKR 151/6 (16)

IPL 2025 LIVE: Can KKR get 200?

At one stage, 220 was looking very gettable for KKR. Now, they would do well to reach 200. Ramandeep Singh is up next, and he’s the last recognized batter in the lineup. A lot of responsibility on him and Angkrish Raghuvanshi to provide the perfect finish for the defending champions.

KKR vs RCB LIVE: Russell GONE! Clean bowled

HUGE WICKET! Andre Russell is clean bowled by Suyash Sharma. The big Jamaican tries to go big, misses it completely, Suyash Sharma strikes! First wicket of the evening for the young wrist-spinner. KKR have lost their way in the middle overs.

KKR 1150/6 (15.4)

KKR vs RCB LIVE: KRUNAL STRIKES AGAIN!

Krunal Pandya gets a third wicket! WOW! Rinku Singh clean bowled this time. Almost carbon copy dismissal to Venkatesh. Swings hard, misses, and is castled. Krunal ends with 3/29 in 4 overs – wickets of Rahane, Venkatesh and Rinku!

KKR 145/5 (15)

IPL 2025 LIVE: 10 off the over

Part-time Liam Livingstone came in to bowl. Started off well, but Rinku Singh picks up a boundary and some runs to end the over. KKR still going at more than 10 runs an over, but the flurry of 6s and 4s has just stopped.

KKR 141/4 (14)

IPL 2025 LIVE: Gem of a spell by Krunal

Krunal Pandya is bowling an excellent spell here. On a pitch where nearly every bowler is going for runs, the veteran has delivered with 2 wickets, conceding only 25 runs in 3 overs. KKR still with a rate of over 10 runs an over, but they’d be hoping for 200-220 today.

KKR 131/4 (13)

IPL 2025 LIVE: Venkatesh GONE!

CLEAN BOWLED! Krunal Pandya is proving to be clutch here. Venkatesh Iyer has to walk back. Tries to swing hard, misses it completely, and the ball crashes into the stumps. Krunal pumps his fists in delight, KKR lose another wicket.

KKR 125/4 (12.1)

KKR vs RCB LIVE: Raghuvanshi enters the party!

Class. Pure class from 20-year-old Angkrish Raghuvanshi. First hits it delicately over cover for a boundary, and then an excellent late cut for 4 more! 14 runs for KKR in that over then, and they keep the good run rate going.

KKR 124/3 (12)

KKR vs RCB LIVE: First 4 for Venkatesh!

Venkatesh Iyer finally gets a boundary. Pitched short, Venkatesh turns around, lofts and finds the gap at fine leg. Much-needed 4 for KKR, as they aim to recover after the setback. 

KKR 115/3 (11.3)

KKR vs RCB LIVE: Huge breakthroughs for RCB

It will be interesting to see how KKR recover from this. Two new batters at the crease now, Venkatesh Iyer and Angkrish Raghuvanshi. Can RCB build on this momentum and restrict the scoring rate? Just 3 runs off the over.

KKR 110/3 (11)

IPL 2025 LIVE: RAHANE OUT!

Ajinkya Rahane is gone! Krunal Pandya is the wicket-taker. Two wickets in four balls lost by KKR, and both set batters are back in the dugout. Rahane trying to go big, picks out Rasikh Dar at deep square leg. Great catch.

Rahane gone for 56 off 31 balls. KKR in a spot of bother now.

KKR 109/3 (10.3)

IPL 2025 LIVE: Venkatesh Iyer is in

Venkatesh Iyer is in to bat. Mind-boggling Rs 23.75 crore spent on him in the auction. Lots of expectation on him, can he step up? He’s got a set Ajinkya Rahane on the other end to give him company. 

KKR 109/2 (10.2)

KKR vs RCB LIVE: OUT!

Huge wicket for RCB! Sunil Narine was in the 40s, but gives a catch to Jitesh Sharma! Tries to go big, gets a thick edge, relief for the men in red and black. RCB strike with the final ball of the 10th over. 

End of a stunning 103-run partnership, Narine out for 44 off 26. He’s done his job.

KKR 107/2 (10)

IPL 2025 LIVE: 100 up for KKR!

Full toss, Sunil Narine places it through the covers brilliantly. 100 up for KKR in just 9.3 overs! This has been some brilliant hitting. Remember, they were 9/1 after 3 overs, so they’ve scored 90 runs in just 6.3 overs. Stunning hitting.

KKR 101/1 (9.3)

IPL 2025 LIVE: Now Narine! 6, 4!

Sunil Narine times that to absolute perfection. Width offered by Suyash Sharma, Narine helps himself to a maximum. Over extra cover, handsome shot. Next ball, 4! In the slot, hit straight back and hard. 22 OFF THAT OVER!

KKR 96/1 (9)

KKR vs RCB LIVE: 50 FOR RAHANE!

Another HUGE SIX to bring up the half-century. 50 for Ajinkya Rahane, in just 25 balls. Came in at a tough stage, dealt in boundaries. Class knock, by a class player. KKR’s captain has led from the front and in style.

KKR 83/1 (8.2)

KKR vs RCB LIVE: 9 off the over

Clever bowling by Rasikh there, for most of that over. A couple of loose ones, resulting in two wides and a boundary by Narine, but tidy stuff otherwise. Pace off seems to be working for the seamers, the batters finding it difficult to time it.

KKR 74/1 (8)

IPL 2025 LIVE: Good comeback by Suyash

Just 5 runs come off Suyash’s first over. Three dots and a single after the boundary. Good comeback by the leg-spinner, who used to previously play for KKR. A bit of a brake put on Rahane’s onslaught.

KKR 65/1 (7)

IPL 2025, KKR vs RCB LIVE: Suyash Sharma into the attack

Former KKR spinner Suyash Sharma enters the attack. Remember, he dropped a catch in the very first over. Gives a loose ball to Rahane, who picks up a boundary in the second ball. Rahane in the 40s now, motoring along.

KKR 64/1 (6.2)

IPL 2025 LIVE: 51 runs in 3 overs!

KKR end the powerplay at 60/1. What a change in momentum. Only 9 runs in the first three overs, and then a mind-boggling switch of gears, led by KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane. He is on 39 off just 16 balls! 

IPL 2025 LIVE: More boundaries! 50 up!

Sunil Narine begins the final over of the powerplay with a boundary off Yash Dayal. Two balls later, Ajinkya Rahane continues the party! 4, 6, 4! KKR have hit the accelerator, and in some style! Amazing stuff here by the defending champs.

KKR 59/1 (5.5)

IPL 2025 LIVE: 4, 4 Rahane!

Ajinkya Rahane is having an excellent start here. Continues the merry flow of runs. He has carried his form from domestic cricket into IPL 2025! Two boundaries in a row. First a sweep shot through fine leg, then picks the gap over the in-field through mid-wicket. 15 off the over.

KKR 40/1 (5)

KKR vs RCB LIVE: Narine 6!

Patidar introduces spin into the attack, and Sunil Narine gives the grandest welcome! Huge six, off Krunal Pandya. In the hitting arc, Narine swings and strikes it sweetly. KKR now getting the move-on.

KKR 31/1 (4.1)

KKR vs RCB LIVE: SIX MORE!

Ajinkya Rahane goes MASSIVE! Over mid-wicket, into the stands. That’s the biggest of the lot. The KKR captain has gone berserk here. 16 off Rasikh Dar’s over, and a much-needed run relief for KKR. Captain leading from the front.

KKR 25/1 (4)

KKR vs RCB LIVE: 4, Rahane!

First boundary for new captain Ajinkya Rahane! KKR need to start finding these boundaries thick and fast now. Poor ball by Rasikh Salam Dar, down the leg side. Easy flick through fine leg for 4. Next ball, SIX! Superb shot, over deep square leg.

KKR 19/1 (3.3)

KKR vs RCB LIVE: Top edge, 4!

Short delivery by Josh Hazlewood, Narine clearly uncomfortable but gets a top edge trying to swing hard. Goes over the keeper, and through for a necessary boundary. Will that help him break loose?

KKR 9/1 (2.4)

KKR vs RCB LIVE: Narine not in the groove

1 run off 8 balls here for Sunil Narine. Swinging at every delivery, but not getting any connection whatsoever. Josh Hazlewood is bowling a superb opening spell, bowling it wide enough for Narine to miss it. KKR off to a poor start. 

KKR 5/1 (2.3)

KKR vs RCB LIVE: Dayal nailing yorkers

Yash Dayal is on point here. Bowls an excellent second over. Puts in some excellent yorkers, particularly to Sunil Narine. Just 1 run comes in that over. RCB firmly on top here in the opening stages, nervous start by the men in purple.

KKR 5/1 (2)

KKR vs RCB LIVE: Big appeal!

It is all happening out here! Yash Dayal to Sunil Narine, down the legside, taken by Jitesh behind the stumps. RCB go up with a loud appeal, but the umpire gives not out. Big discussion, but no review taken in the end by Rajat Patidar. Shaky start for KKR!

KKR 4/1 (1.1)

KKR vs RCB LIVE: GONE!

Josh Hazlewood strikes! RCB get their wicket! Quinton de Kock attempts the square cut, but gets a thick edge. East catch for Jitesh Sharma behind the stumps. RCB draw first blood, and it is a disappointing start for de Kock in purple.

KKR 4/1 (0.5)

KKR vs RCB LIVE: CATCH DROPPED!

Suyash Sharma has dropped a sitter! Quinton de Kock hit it straight up, no timing. The former KKR player Suyash came underneath it, but has dropped a complete sitter. Huge disappointment. Virat Kohli is visibly upset.

KKR 4/0 (0.3)

KKR vs RCB LIVE: Dot ball and 4!

Josh Hazlewood to Quinton de Kock, ball 1 is a dot! Ball 2? Cracking shot by Quinton de Kock, picks up 4! First boundary for him in KKR colours.

KKR 4/0 (0.2)

KKR vs RCB LIVE: IPL 2025 IS UNDERWAY

ICC President Jay Shah and Kolkata’s favourite son Sourav Ganguly ring the iconic Eden Gardens bell. IPL 2025 is underway!  Sunil Narine and Quinton de Kock out to open the batting for KKR. Josh Hazlewood, fit again, will take the new ball for RCB.

KKR vs RCB LIVE: RCB Playing XI

RCB’s Playing XI vs KKR:

Virat Kohli, Phil Salt (wk), Rajat Patidar (c), Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma, Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Rasikh Dar Salam, Suyash Sharma, Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal.

No Bhuvneshwar Kumar! Huge miss for RCB. He was bought for a big fee, remember.