Date:
May 17, 2025
Time: 7:30 PM IST
Venue: M Chinnaswamy
Stadium, Bengaluru
The IPL 2025 returns after a nine-day break with a high-stakes clash as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) face off against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in Match 58 of the season. With playoffs in sight for one and survival on the line for the other, fans can expect a thriller at the iconic Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday night.
Match Overview
RCB,
currently in second place, have won 8 of their 11 matches. A win tonight would
make them the first team to qualify
for the playoffs this season.
KKR,
the defending champions, are hanging by a thread. With 5 wins and 6 losses, they must win this match to
keep their playoff hopes alive.
The previous encounter between these two teams
saw RCB beat KKR convincingly
at Eden Gardens, chasing down 175 with 7 wickets in hand.
Pitch & Weather Report: M
Chinnaswamy Stadium
Traditionally a batting paradise, the Chinnaswamy pitch in 2025
has seen some help for bowlers.
Dew
factor in the second innings could make chasing easier.
Weather
Update: 65% chance of rain with possible thunderstorms. A truncated match could be
on the cards, but the venue’s
drainage system is top-notch.
Head-to-Head: RCB vs KKR
|
Matches Played |
RCB Wins |
KKR Wins |
|
35 |
15 |
20 |
At Chinnaswamy: KKR have won 8 out of 12 matches. Since 2023, KKR have beaten RCB in 4 of their last 5 meetings.
Team News & Strategy
Royal Challengers Bengaluru
(RCB)
Form:
8 wins, 3 losses
Injury
Update:
Rajat Patidar is fit
after a hand injury.
Phil Salt has recovered
from illness.
Josh Hazlewood is still
unavailable (shoulder injury).
Player to Watch:
Virat Kohli – Fresh from his Test cricket farewell and set for a grand reception at his home ground.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar – Has dismissed Rahane 7 times in IPL history.
Tactical
Note:
Expect
Bhuvneshwar to bowl early to Ajinkya
Rahane, who has been explosive in the Powerplay.
Probable
XI:
Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, Rajat Patidar (C), Mayank Agarwal, Jitesh Sharma (WK),
Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Romario Shepherd, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Lungi Ngidi,
Yash Dayal
Impact Player:
Suyash Sharma
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
Form:
5 wins, 6 losses (1 NR)
Injury/Availability:
Moeen Ali and Rovman Powell are
unavailable.
Manish Pandey or Venkatesh Iyer – toss-up
for middle-order slot.
Player
to Watch:
Varun Chakaravarthy – 10
middle-overs wickets this season.
Sunil Narine – Proven
nemesis for Kohli.
Tactical Note:
Expect Anukul Roy’s left-arm spin against RCB's right-handed top order.
KKR will bank on spin choke with Narine and Varun CV.
Probable XI:
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 Chakaravarthy, Harshit Rana
Key Stats to Know
RCB have the highest scoring rate in death overs (16-20): 11.97 runs per over.
KKR boast the best bowling economy (7.41) and highest dot-ball percentage (35.9%) in IPL 2025.
Kohli vs Narine in IPL: 136 runs, 4 dismissals, SR of 105.42.
Kohli
vs Varun CV: 55 runs off 48 balls, 1 dismissal.
Quotes Corner
Mo
Bobat (RCB Director of Cricket):
“Virat's just business as usual. He’s
ambitious about what we can achieve this year with RCB.”
Manish Pandey (KKR Batter):
“This season’s been a rollercoaster — we win
one, we lose one. No momentum.”
Match Prediction: Who Will
Win Today?
RCB look like the more balanced and in-form side.
Home advantage, Kohli’s motivation, and momentum all point towards an RCB victory.
However, if KKR’s spinners click early and
the rain shortens the game,
it could turn into a low-scoring upset.
Prediction: RCB to win, but expect a
tight contest if rain intervenes
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