IPL 2025: Kohli and Salt's Fifties Propel RCB to Victory Over KKR
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Synopsis
In the IPL 2025 opener, RCB triumphed over KKR by seven wickets, with Kohli and Salt's fifties. Kohli's 59 not out and Salt's 56 were pivotal in chasing 175 runs, showcasing a dominant performance at Eden Gardens.
Key Takeaways
- Kohli and Salt delivered key innings for RCB.
- RCB chased down 175 runs efficiently.
- Krunal Pandya and Josh Hazlewood excelled with the ball.
- Strong opening partnership set the tone for victory.
- RCB showcased solid form early in the IPL 2025 season.
Kolkata, March 22 (NationPress) Virat Kohli (59 not out) and Phil Salt (56) played aggressive innings during the power-play, establishing a solid foundation for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to successfully chase down 175 runs and secure a seven-wicket victory against the defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the opening match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 at Eden Gardens on Saturday.
Following a strong bowling performance from Krunal Pandya (3-29) and Josh Hazlewood (2-22), RCB managed to limit KKR to 174/8. Kohli and Salt set the tone with a blazing 95-run opening stand. Although Salt was dismissed just shy of the halfway point in the chase, Kohli remained unbeaten at 59 off 36 balls, leading RCB to an emphatic win with 22 balls to spare.
Salt kicked off the innings with an impressive cover drive off Vaibhav Arora, while Kohli followed suit, flicking a shot through mid-wicket in the first over. Salt then drilled a stunning cover drive off Spencer Johnson and lofted Arora over mid-on for a six and a four in consecutive deliveries.
Kohli continued to impress, swiping Arora for four before Salt capped off the third over with an upper-cut six. The onslaught continued as Salt dispatched Varun Chakaravarthy for two fours and a six down the ground, pulling him over deep square-leg for another boundary as 21 runs came off the fourth over.
Kohli delivered a memorable moment by straight lofting Johnson for back-to-back sixes, followed by Salt guiding a shot through backward point for four. After a dropped catch of Kohli by deep cover, he slog-swept Chakaravarthy for six, with Salt reaching his fifty in just 25 balls.
Chakaravarthy eventually claimed Salt, who attempted a leg-break and was caught at short third man. Shortly after, Devdutt Padikkal was dismissed by Narine. However, Kohli advanced forward to achieve his 56th IPL fifty in 30 balls with a beautiful drive off Harshit Rana in the 13th over.
Captain Rajat Patidar showcased his skills by lofting Narine for a six, followed by four boundaries off Rana. Although Patidar fell to deep mid-wicket off Arora, Liam Livingstone hit for a four and a six, ultimately sealing the victory with a boundary past mid-on for RCB.
Summary of Scores:
Kolkata Knight Riders: 174/8 in 20 overs (Ajinkya Rahane 56, Sunil Narine 44; Krunal Pandya 3-29, Josh Hazlewood 2-22) lost to Royal Challengers Bengaluru: 177/3 in 16.2 overs (Virat Kohli 59 not out, Phil Salt 56; Sunil Narine 1-27, Vaibhav Arora 1-42) by seven wickets.
