Page 20 - Royal Challengers Bengaluru

KKR skipper Rahane backs team, says 'no need to panic' after loss to RCB

"We don't need to panic," said Kolkata Knight Riders skipper Ajinkya Rahane after their heavy loss to Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL opener, firmly backing their explosive middle-order despite its failure to deliver. The defending champions, under new skipper Rahane, were scoring at over 10 runs per over at the halfway mark when RCB turned the tide in their favour. A match-turning spell from left-arm spinner Krunal Pandya restricted KKR to a below-par 174/8, a target RCB chased down with 22 balls to spare at Eden Gardens on Saturday. This is our first game of the season and the batting line-up or the team which we have, we have guys who like to go after the ball. I don't want to pinpoint on certain things. As a team, I thought, in a few areas we did really well. There're always areas we can improve as a team, as an individual, Rahane said at the post-match media interaction. Backing his middle-order batters despite their struggles, Rahane said, Because guys who got out in t

IPL 2025: Why was Bhuvaneshwar Kumar not picked in RCB playing 11 vs KKR?

The decision to exclude Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who was bought for a hefty ₹10.75 crore in the mega auction, caught many by surprise, including Ravi Shastri.

IPL 2025: Most expensive players bought over the years in IPL history

Among the biggest deals, Shreyas Iyer became the second-most expensive player in IPL history, with Lucknow Super Giants shelling out a whopping Rs 27 crore for Rishabh Pant.

IPL 2025 KKR vs RCB player battles: Kohli vs Narine, Salt vs Russell & more

KKR and RCB have delivered some of the most thrilling clashes in IPL history, including a nail-biting one-run victory just last year.

IPL 2025: Virat Kohli is going to have a big impact again - Kane Williamson

Virat Kohli might have tweaked his batting approach a bit over the years, but former New Zealand captain Kane Williamson has little doubt that the champion batter will have a "big impact" on the fortunes of Royal Challengers Bengaluru in IPL 2025. Kohli has shown glimpses of his old form during the recent Champions Trophy, and will once again lead the RCB batting line-up from the opening slot. The 36-year-old will walk out for RCB against the Kolkata Knight Riders at the Eden Gardens on Saturday. "No doubt he's going to have a big impact again as he has done in almost every season of this tournament. I know he's extremely motivated with RCB to push for a title and I'm sure this season they'll be there or thereabouts," Williamson told media during an interaction on Friday. Williamson, who went unsold in last year's IPL auction, observed that Kohli's changed approach to the game will not affect his batting or effectiveness. "It's quite interesting as players kind of go into differen

IPL 2025: KKR vs RCB Playing 11, Rahane and Patidar's captaincy record

KKR and RCB will begin their IPL 2025 campaign with new captains, as Rajat Patidar has been named captain of RCB, while Ajinkya Rahane will lead KKR

IPL 2025: KKR vs RCB head-to-head record, key toss stats in Kolkata

One of the most memorable moments between these two teams was RCB's dismal performance in 2017, where they were bowled out for a mere 49 runs by KKR.

KKR vs RCB HIGHLIGHTS, IPL 2025: Virat Kohli guides RCB to 7-wicket win in Kolkata

IPL 2025 HIGHLIGHTS: Virat Kohli scored a 36-ball 59 as RCB got an opening win at Eden gardens.

IPL 2025 KKR vs RCB: Pitch report and key stats of Kolkata's Eden Gardens

In the most recent match played at Eden Gardens, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) defeated Mumbai Indians (MI) by 18 runs in IPL 2024.

KKR vs RCB: What happened when the two teams last met in IPL opening match?

The first-ever match of IPL in 2008 was immortalised by Brendon McCullum, who ripped apart the RCB bowling line-up in that match to score the then-highest score by any batter in T20 cricket

IPL 2025, KKR vs RCB: Kolkata weather hourly forecast and rain prediction

Though weather conditions can change rapidly, Business Standard looks at the latest forecast and rain prediction as provided by Accuweather and BBC Weather.

IPL 2025 live streaming: Where to watch KKR vs RCB IPL opener live?

JioHotstar in India will stream the IPL 2025 match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bengaluru on their app and website.

IPL 2025: KKR vs RCB Playing 11, live toss and match time, streaming

The Kolkata Knight Riders vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru match live telecast will be available on Star Sports Network. JioHotstar to live stream KKR vs RCB match on March 22

IPL 2025 Opening Ceremony: Live time, streaming and all you need to know

The opening ceremony of IPL 2025 is set to take place at Kolkata's iconic Eden Gardens Stadium

Players in the team will be right behind skipper Rajat Patidar: Flower

Rajat Patidar might have been a surprise choice to lead star-studded Royal Challengers Bengaluru, but head coach Andy Flower on Friday said the whole team is "right behind" the skipper and the presence of experienced players such as Virat Kohli and Bhuvneshwar Kumar will be a boon for him. Royal Challengers will begin their IPL 2025 campaign against Kolkata Knight Riders here on Saturday, and it will be Patidar's first outing as a captain in the league. "A lot of these guys have captained state sides, IPL teams and international teams. So, we're very pleased with that, regardless of who was actually captaining our team this year," said Flower in the pre-match media interaction. "I think having influential people in your squad, guys that have performed at the top level gives him a level of confidence. You get that confidence from the evidence of you succeeding at the top level in the past. There are a lot of our guys that have done that in, obviously, performance terms, but also ...

IPL 2025: RCB full schedule, playing 11, SWOT analysis, live match timings,

As Bengaluru-based franchisee gears up for the IPL 2025 opener, Business Standard presents key facts about RCB here:

Will Kolkata weather disrupt the IPL 2025 opening ceremony on March 22?

KKR vs RCB: Kolkata weather forecast for March 22 - There is a 66 per cent chance of rain at 11 AM IST on March 22. The forecast improves as the day progresses

IPL 2025 preview: Spotlight on new rules, new captains, saliva ban reversal

New rules and new captains will be in focus but the razzmatazz will be pretty much the same when the 18th Indian Premier League kicks off here on Saturday with defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders taking on perennial underachievers Royal Challengers Bengaluru amid a looming threat of rain. There is plenty to look forward in the league. Among the most prominent rule changes is the lifting of saliva ban. For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, bowlers will be allowed to use it to shine the ball. The BCCI lifted the ban after receiving a majority consensus from IPL captains in a landmark decision taken at the captains' meeting in Mumbai. The International Cricket Council had made the saliva ban permanent in 2022, but the IPL operates under its own regulations and the latest move could set a precedent for the global game. The 18th season will also witness tactical innovations, including a major change to counter dew's impact. The second innings of evening matches will see

Virat Kohli in IPL: A look at his trailblazing knocks over the years

As we look forward to IPL 2025, Check Kohli's most iconic performances over the years that truly defined his role as RCB's mainstay.

Everyone on same page: KKR skipper Rahane ahead of IPL 2025 opener vs RCB

The star-studded squad of the Kolkata Knight Riders were presented to their doting fans on the stage of the Knights Unplugged 2.0 event, held at Biswa Bangla Mela Prangan on Wednesday.