IPL 2025: Who were the impact performers in KKR-RCB clash?
What's the story
Royal Challengers Bengaluru thrashed defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders in the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) opener.
Rajat Patidar's team comfortably chased down the 175-run target at the Eden Gardens thanks to their openers Philip Salt and Virat Kohli.
However, it was Krunal Pandya, who produced the impact performance for the Challengers.
The left-arm spinner picked three wickets for 29 runs in his four overs.
For KKR, captain Ajinkya Rahane (56 off just 31 balls) was the most impressive.
Bowling brilliance
Krunal Pandya's bowling turns the tide
Pandya's phenomenal bowling was a highlight for RCB. KKR were comfortably placed at 109/2 when he dismissed the dangerous-looking Rahane in the 11th over.
He then trapped dashers Rinku Singh (12) and Venkatesh Iyer (6) cheaply to finish with 4-0-29-3.
His sensational spell meant KKR could only manage 67 runs in the second half of their innings, eventually restricting to 174/8.
Several experts reckoned the three-time winners were 25 to 30 runs short.
Rahane
Rahane goes berserk on KKR captaincy debut
As mentioned, Rahane produced the most notable performance for KKR.
The team lost Quinton de Kock early in the 1st over (4/1) as the hosts struggled to be 9/1 after three overs.
However, the skipper attacked from the outset as KKR finished the powerplay at 60/1 with Rahane garnering 39 from 16 balls in this phase.
He added 103 runs with Sunil Narine en route to his 31-ball 56 (six fours and four sixes).
Other Performers
Here are the other notable performers
As mentioned, RCB were also powered by their openers Salt and Kohli as they added 95 runs in just 8.3 overs.
While the former made 56 off 31 balls on RCB debut, Kohli scored an unbeaten 59 off 36 balls as RCB (177/3) prevailed in just 16.2 overs.
Patidar contributed with a fiery 16-ball 34.
For KKR, Narine put up an all-round show. The opener backed his 26-ball 44 with an economical spell (1/27 from four overs).