Kolkata Knight Riders captain Ajinkya Rahane brings up his first half-century in the IPL 2025 in the opening game played against RCB at Eden Garden. Notably, this is the first half-century for Ajinkya Rahane after 18 innings.
Ajinkya Rahane-led Kolkata Knight Riders is set to face Rajat Patidar-led Royal Challengers Bengaluru to play the first match of IPL 2025 on March 22 in Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
This is the second instance of KKR playing RCB in an IPL season opener after having done so in the inaugural edition in 2008.
Both teams will play their first match of IPL 2025 under new captains. RCB named Rajat Patidar as their new skipper for IPL 2025 while KKR named Ajinkya Rahane as their new captain.
It is worth mentioning, Ajinkya Rahane was both the leading run-getter and Player of the Tournament in SMAT 2024-25 in Mumbai’s title-winning run.
Speaking of the match Royal Challengers Bengaluru have won the toss and opted to bowl first. Quinton de Kock and Sunil Narine opened the innings for KKR while Josh Hazlewood opened the bowling attack for RCB.
de Kock made an aggressive start by hitting the boundary of the second ball but in the very next ball de Kock got a life as Suyash Sharma dropped a dolly.
But in the fifth delivery of the same over, Hazlewood dismissed de Kock as Jitesh Sharma took an excellent catch behind the stumps.
GONE!⚡🧤
After getting a life, #QuintondeKock is caught behind courtesy a neat catch and #JoshHazlewood has the first wicket of #TATAIPL 2025! ❤
Watch LIVE action: https://t.co/iB1oqMusYv #IPLonJioStar 👉 #KKRvRCB, LIVE NOW on Star Sports Network & JioHotstar! pic.twitter.com/8W2uZzcDng
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) March 22, 2025
Following an early dismissal, Ajinkya Rahane and Sunil Narine made a terrific stand and started to smash RCB bowlers all around the Eden Garden. During the process, Ajinkya Rahane registers maiden fifty as KKR captain.
