Dominant RCB crush KKR in IPL 2025 opener
Virat Kohli brings out the slog sweep
Batting first, KKR struggled to put up a competitive total 174/8, with the pitch favoring the batters and a score of 200 seemingly the bare minimum. Despite the presence of dew, KKR’s total fell well short of what was required.
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In response, RCB’s openers got off to a flying start. Phil Salt and Virat Kohli attacked the KKR bowlers from the outset, particularly targeting Varun Chakravarthy, who conceded 21 runs in his first over. RCB raced to 80/0 at the end of the powerplay, setting the tone for a comfortable chase.
Even after Salt's dismissal, Kohli continued his aggressive approach, ensuring RCB remained in full control. While Devdutt Padikkal couldn’t contribute much, skipper Rajat Patidar played a blistering knock, smashing 34 off just 16 balls to put the game beyond KKR’s reach.
The emphatic win not only gave RCB their first points of the season but also provided a significant boost to their Net Run Rate (NRR). Kohli, who was seen discussing his back issues with Harshit Rana after the match, played a pivotal role in leading his team to victory.
This dominant start will give RCB plenty of confidence as they move forward in the tournament, while KKR will need to reassess their strategies to bounce back from this heavy defeat.
