IPL 2025: Krunal Pandya's 3-29 Leads RCB to Victory Over KKR
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Synopsis
In the IPL 2025 opener, Krunal Pandya's exceptional bowling (3-29) helped RCB limit KKR to 174/8. Despite a strong start from KKR's Ajinkya Rahane and Sunil Narine, RCB's bowlers staged a strong comeback, ensuring a thrilling match at Eden Gardens.
Key Takeaways
- Krunal Pandya's brilliant bowling performance.
- RCB's effective strategy led to KKR's collapse.
- Ajinkya Rahane's aggressive innings was the highlight for KKR.
- Josh Hazlewood complemented with crucial wickets.
- RCB's bowlers limited runs effectively in the final overs.
Kolkata, March 22 (NationPress) Krunal Pandya delivered a stunning performance with figures of 3-29, propelling the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to restrict the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to 174/8 in their innings during the inaugural match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 at Eden Gardens here on Saturday.
Initially, KKR seemed to be in control as captain Ajinkya Rahane set the pace with a brisk 31-ball 56, forming a strong 103-run partnership for the second wicket alongside Sunil Narine, who contributed 44 off 26 balls. However, as the old ball began to grip, Krunal excelled, taking down KKR’s renowned middle-order alongside Suyash Sharma before Josh Hazlewood claimed 2-22, ensuring RCB had the upper hand at the halfway point of the match.
RCB opted to bat first, and Quinton de Kock managed to hit a boundary off Hazlewood's second delivery. After receiving a second chance when Suyash dropped a catch at mid-wicket, Hazlewood eventually had the last laugh, dismissing de Kock for just four runs.
After a slow start, Rahane ignited KKR's innings by hitting Rasikh Salam for two sixes and a four in the fourth over, scoring 16 runs. Narine greeted Pandya with a six over long-on, and Rahane added two fours in a 15-run fifth over.
Rahane continued his assault, scoring 51 runs during the second phase of the power-play, reaching 60/1 by the end of six overs. The former Indian player celebrated his fifty in just 25 balls with a slog-sweep for six off Suyash, followed by Narine's six and four.
However, RCB mounted an impressive comeback as Rasikh dismissed Narine for 44, and Rahane fell to Krunal for 56. Krunal struck again, clean bowling Venkatesh Iyer and Rinku Singh for six and twelve runs respectively, while Suyash claimed the wicket of Russell with a googly.
Angkrish Raghuvanshi attempted to finish strong with a 22-ball 30 but edged behind off Dayal. Hazlewood secured another wicket as Harshit Rana was caught by keeper Jitesh Sharma, marking Hazlewood's fourth catch of the match. RCB executed a brilliant bowling performance, limiting KKR to just 29 runs in the final five overs.
Brief scores:
Kolkata Knight Riders 174/8 in 20 overs (Ajinkya Rahane 56, Sunil Narine 44; Krunal Pandya 3-29, Josh Hazlewood 2-22) against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
