Yesterday IPL Match Result 2025 | A Thrilling Start to IPL 2025
Who Won Yesterday IPL Match: Yesterday, March 22, 2025, the IPL 2025 season started with an exciting match between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. Fans were eager to see the defending champions KKR take on RCB in the first game of the season. So, who won yesterday’s IPL match between KKR and RCB? RCB won by 7 wickets, chasing down 175 runs with 22 balls to spare! It was a fantastic start for RCB, powered by Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, and some smart bowling. Let’s break down how this thrilling match went and why it’s a big moment for IPL 2025.
A Special Start to IPL 2025 | Who Won Yesterday IPL Match
The IPL kicked off its 18th season with KKR vs RCB, just like it did back in 2008 when Brendon McCullum smashed 158* to give KKR a huge win. This time, though, RCB flipped the script and beat KKR at their home ground. The match was played at Eden Gardens in front of a loud, packed crowd, making it a perfect way to start the 74-match tournament that will run till May 25, 2025. RCB’s new captain Rajat Patidar and KKR’s new leader Ajinkya Rahane both made their captaincy debuts, adding extra excitement to the game.
RCB won the toss and decided to bowl first, a smart call on a pitch that’s usually good for batting but can help bowlers later with dew. KKR, as defending champions, wanted to set a big total, but RCB had other plans and put on a show with both bat and ball.
KKR’s Batting: A Good Start Falls Apart
KKR’s innings began with a hiccup when Quinton de Kock got out for just 4 runs in the first over, caught behind off Josh Hazlewood. But captain Ajinkya Rahane and Sunil Narine quickly took control. Rahane smashed 56 off 31 balls, hitting 6 fours and 2 sixes, while Narine scored 44 off 26 with 4 fours and 2 sixes. Their 103-run partnership in 9.4 overs had KKR flying at 107 for 2 by the 10th over. Fans thought KKR might reach 200 or more!
But RCB’s bowlers fought back hard. Krunal Pandya, the left-arm spinner, turned the game around by getting Rahane out in the 12th over, caught at deep midwicket. He then dismissed Rinku Singh (12 off 11) and Venkatesh Iyer (8 off 10), slowing KKR down. The middle order struggled, and Andre Russell could only manage 16 off 14 before Suyash Sharma bowled him with a googly. Angkrish Raghuvanshi scored a decent 30 off 22, but KKR lost 6 wickets for just 67 runs in the last 10 overs. They finished at 174 for 8 in 20 overs—a good score, but not enough on this pitch.
Krunal Pandya was RCB’s hero with the ball, taking 3 wickets for 29 runs in 4 overs. Josh Hazlewood bowled tight, giving away just 22 runs and taking 2 wickets, while Yash Dayal, Rasikh Salam, and Suyash Sharma chipped in with one each. RCB’s bowling plan worked perfectly to stop KKR’s big hitters.
RCB’s Chase: Salt and Kohli Dominate
Chasing 175, RCB’s openers Phil Salt and Virat Kohli came out swinging. Salt, who played for KKR last season, smashed 56 off 31 balls with 5 fours and 3 sixes, showing his old team what they missed. Kohli, the IPL legend, stayed not out on 59 off 36, hitting 5 fours and 2 sixes. Together, they put on 95 runs in just 8.3 overs, making the chase look easy. Salt reached his fifty in 25 balls, while Kohli got his 56th IPL fifty in 30 balls—both punishing KKR’s bowlers like Varun Chakravarthy and Harshit Rana.
Salt got out in the 9th over, caught at short third off Chakravarthy, but RCB were already at 95 for 1. Captain Rajat Patidar came in and kept the attack going, scoring 34 off 16 with 5 fours and a six. He had a scare with a mix-up but smashed a hooked four off Vaibhav Arora to silence doubters. Patidar got out in the 15th over, caught at deep midwicket, but RCB needed just 13 runs by then. Liam Livingstone finished it off with a six and a four off Spencer Johnson in the 17th over. RCB chased 175 in 16.2 overs, winning by 7 wickets with 22 balls left—a big statement on Day 1 of IPL 2025.
Key Players Who Shone
- Krunal Pandya (RCB): Took 3 for 29 and won Player of the Match for stopping KKR’s batting charge.
- Phil Salt (RCB): Blasted 56 off 31 to set up the chase.
- Virat Kohli (RCB): Unbeaten 59 off 36, proving he’s still the chase master.
- Ajinkya Rahane (KKR): Scored 56 off 31, giving KKR a fighting chance.
- Josh Hazlewood (RCB): Bowled 2 for 22 with 16 dot balls, keeping KKR quiet.
Why RCB’s Win is a Big Deal
This win means a lot for RCB. They’ve never won the IPL despite having stars like Kohli, and beating the defending champions KKR at Eden Gardens is a huge boost. It shows their new team—with Salt, Livingstone, and Krunal Pandya—can take on the best. For KKR, it’s a tough start to their title defense. Their middle order didn’t fire, and their bowlers couldn’t stop Salt and Kohli. Posts on X also noted KKR’s slump between overs 15 and 18, where they scored just 18 runs and lost 2 wickets—a phase that hurt them badly.
Match Stats of Who Won Yesterday IPL Match
Here’s a table with the key stats from the KKR vs RCB match on March 22, 2025:
| Team | Score | Overs | Wickets Lost | Top Scorer | Best Bowler |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KKR (Batting) | 174/8 | 20 | 8 | Ajinkya Rahane (56) | Krunal Pandya (3/29) |
| RCB (Chasing) | 177/3 | 16.2 | 3 | Virat Kohli (59*) | Varun Chakravarthy (1/41) |
Batting Highlights (KKR)
| Player | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ajinkya Rahane | 56 | 31 | 6 | 2 |
| Sunil Narine | 44 | 26 | 4 | 2 |
| Angkrish Raghuvanshi | 30 | 22 | 3 | 0 |
| Andre Russell | 16 | 14 | 1 | 1 |
Bowling Highlights (RCB)
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Krunal Pandya | 4 | 29 | 3 | 7.25 |
| Josh Hazlewood | 4 | 22 | 2 | 5.50 |
| Suyash Sharma | 4 | 35 | 1 | 8.75 |
Batting Highlights (RCB)
| Player | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virat Kohli | 59* | 36 | 5 | 2 |
| Phil Salt | 56 | 31 | 5 | 3 |
| Rajat Patidar | 34 | 16 | 5 | 1 |
What’s Next for Both Teams?
KKR will play Rajasthan Royals on March 26 in Guwahati, looking to fix their middle-order batting and bowling plans. RCB will face Chennai Super Kings on March 27 in Chennai, hoping to keep their winning streak alive. With 73 matches left in IPL 2025, both teams have time to improve, but RCB’s early win gives them a head start.
Why This Match Sets the Tone for IPL 2025
The IPL 2025 opener showed how exciting this season could be. New rules like saliva on the ball and DRS for wides added a fresh twist, and RCB used their bowling and batting depth smartly. KKR will need to regroup, but their stars like Narine and Russell can turn things around. For now, RCB fans are celebrating a rare win at Eden Gardens, where KKR usually dominate.
Final Thoughts on Who Won Yesterday IPL Match
So, who won yesterday’s IPL match between KKR and RCB? Royal Challengers Bengaluru did, and they made it look easy! Phil Salt’s quick fifty, Virat Kohli’s calm chase, and Krunal Pandya’s bowling gave RCB a 7-wicket victory. It’s just the start of IPL 2025, but this match has already got fans buzzing. What do you think—can RCB finally win the IPL this year? Let’s wait and see!