IPL 2025 Set to Resume with RCB vs KKR Clash as Emotions Run High in Bengaluru
Nearly 90 minutes into RCB’s training session at the Chinnaswamy Stadium on Friday, Virat Kohli stepped into the nets for his batting stint. A few elegant straight drives and confident pull shots followed. But soon after, a pause — and a frown. The RCB anthem echoed through the otherwise empty stadium, much to Kohli’s irritation. He signalled firmly for the music to be cut, preferring the crisp sound of leather on willow and the murmurs of a focused practice session instead, reports Live Cricket Score.
Such control won’t be possible come Saturday night, when the IPL returns after an eight-day break. A packed Chinnaswamy crowd — famously partisan and vocally electric — awaits, brimming with fresh energy and emotion. The break saw Kohli quietly announce his departure from Test cricket via a simple Instagram post, and the RCB faithful are preparing a white-clad tribute to their icon.
RCB have won just two of five home games this season, but their fans have shown a year-on-year consistency in their unflinching loyalty. It’s a familiar feeling for the Bengaluru crowd — hope swelling late in the tournament, dreams of a maiden title taking shape once again. RCB is second on the table, and a win on Saturday would lock in a playoff spot. Between saluting Kohli’s illustrious red-ball career and pushing their side to a crucial third home win, the emotions in the stands are set to hit a fever pitch.
For defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders, it’s been a different journey. Last year’s elation of a third title has faded into frustration. Their 2025 campaign has been marred by inconsistency, and they’ve struggled to build momentum, failing to notch up back-to-back wins until late April. Now, hanging by a thread, they must win both remaining matches and hope other results will fall.
When: Saturday, May 17, 2025, 7:30 PM IST
Where: M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
Weather Watch: A wet evening looms, with thunderstorms predicted. However, unless the showers are persistent, the stadium’s top-notch drainage should allow play, even if shortened. Despite rain in the forecast for Friday as well, this part of the city remained dry.
Head-to-Head: RCB 15 – 20 KKR
At Chinnaswamy, KKR has dominated, with 8 wins in 12 outings. Since 2023, they have won four matches against RCB.
Team News & Strategy
Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Injuries/Unavailable:
Rajat Patidar batted across two practice sessions this week, showing good signs after suffering a hand injury against CSK. Director of Cricket Mo Bobat confirmed the mid-season break helped accelerate his recovery. Phil Salt, who missed the last two games due to illness, also batted extensively and appears fit.
Josh Hazlewood remains unavailable, continuing his shoulder injury rehab in Australia.
Tactics & Matchups:
If Ajinkya Rahane walks in early, expect RCB to consider bringing in Bhuvneshwar Kumar. The veteran seamer has had the better of Rahane, conceding just 104 runs off 117 balls and dismissing him seven times in the IPL.
Probable XII:
Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, Jacob Bethell/Mayank Agarwal, Rajat Patidar (c), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Rasikh Salam/Lungi Ngidi, Yash Dayal, Suyash Sharma
Kolkata Knight Riders
Injuries/Unavailable:
Moeen Ali and Rovman Powell have not returned to the squad post-break. Moeen, who featured in KKR’s last two matches, will likely be replaced by Anukul Roy, especially given RCB’s right-hander-heavy top order, which makes left-arm spin a tactical weapon.
Manish Pandey came in for Venkatesh Iyer in the last outing. Both were seen in extended batting sessions on Friday, making that middle-order slot still up for grabs.
Tactics & Matchups:
Kohli’s improved scoring rate against spin in recent seasons (from 108.2 to 136.34) sets up an intriguing contest with KKR’s ace spinners. Against Narine, Kohli has scored 136 runs at a strike rate of just 105.42 and has been dismissed four times. Against Varun CV, he has 55 off 48 with one dismissal.
Meanwhile, Patidar’s early-season fluency against spin (57 off 33) has tapered off (33 off 35, 3 dismissals in the last five games), which KKR may look to exploit.
Probable XII:
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Sunil Narine, Ajinkya Rahane (c), Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Manish Pandey/Venkatesh Iyer, Andre Russell, Rinku Singh, Ramandeep Singh, Anukul Roy, Vaibhav Arora, Varun CV, Harshit Rana
Did You Know?
- KKR boasts the best economy rate (7.41), the highest dot-ball percentage (35.9%), and the lowest boundary percentage (13.11%) in IPL 2025.
- Varun CV has 10 wickets in the middle overs — tied for second-most with Kuldeep Yadav.
- RCB has the best death-over scoring rate this season at 11.97.
What They Said:
“Virat’s just business as usual, as he always is. There’s enough of the public and the nation’s attention on him; he doesn’t want any more of that. He wants to get on with his business. He’s ambitious about what we can achieve this year with RCB, and that’s what he does.” – Mo Bobat on Virat Kohli.
“I just think last time [in 2024] we were winning games, we won many games, which is very important in a tournament like IPL. This time we were winning one, losing one. The tournament has been like that.” – Manish Pandey on KKR’s struggles.
