The IPL 2025 season starts with an exciting clash between the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, on March 22 at 7:30 PM IST.
This high-voltage encounter will set the tone for the tournament as two star-studded teams go head-to-head.
Fantasy cricket players must analyze team combinations, pitch conditions, weather reports, player form, and matchups before selecting their Dream11 team.
This article provides detailed insights to help you create a winning fantasy team.
Match Details
| Match | KKR vs RCB, IPL 2025 – Match 1 |
|---|---|
| Date | March 22, 2025 |
| Time | 7:30 PM IST |
| Venue | Eden Gardens, Kolkata |
| Streaming | JioCinema, Star Sports Network |
KKR vs RCB Head-to-Head Record
| Teams Matches | Won |
|---|---|
| Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) | 20 |
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) | 14 |
KKR holds the edge historically, winning 20 out of 34 matches against RCB.
However, RCB will aim to start fresh under new leadership and break KKR’s dominance.
Weather & Pitch Report
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 28°C |
| Weather | Broken Clouds |
| Humidity | 70% |
| Wind Speed | 10 km/h |
| Pitch Type | Batting-friendly |
| Best Suited To | Pace bowlers |
| Average 1st Innings Score | 204 |
| Chasing Team Record | Poor (Winning % – 40%) |
- Eden Gardens pitch is generally batting-friendly, with an average 1st innings score of 204 in T20s.
- Pacers can get some early swing, but it becomes easier for batters as the game progresses.
- Spinners can also come into play due to slight assistance from the pitch.
- Chasing has been difficult at this venue, with only a 40% win rate for teams batting second.
Key Players' Recent Form & Matchups
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) Players' Recent Form
| Player | Recent Performance Matchup | Advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Quinton de Kock | Scored 60+ in his last two T20s | Strong against RCB pacers |
| Sunil Narine | 3 wickets in the previous match | RCB batters struggle against spin |
| Andre Russell | The strike rate of 180+ in recent T20s | RCB lacks quality death bowlers |
| Varun Chakravarthy | Took 4 wickets in his last 2 matches | Effective vs RCB middle order |
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) Players' Recent Form
| Player | Recent Performance Matchup | Advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Virat Kohli | 300+ runs in the previous 6 IPL matches | Top performer at Eden Gardens |
| Rajat Patidar | 70+ in his last T20 | Strong against KKR pacers |
| Liam Livingstone | 2 half-centuries in the previous 4 matches | Power-hitter against spinners |
| Josh Hazlewood | 5 wickets in the last 3 matches | Effective in powerplay overs |
KKR vs RCB Predicted Playing XI
| Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) | Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) |
|---|---|
| Sunil Narine | Phil Salt |
| Quinton de Kock (WK) | Virat Kohli |
| Ajinkya Rahane (C) | Devdutt Padikkal |
| Angkrish Raghuvanshi | Rajat Patidar (C) |
| Venkatesh Iyer | Liam Livingstone |
| Rinku Singh | Jitesh Sharma (WK) |
| Andre Russell | Tim David |
| Ramandeep Singh | Krunal Pandya |
| Harshit Rana | Bhuvneshwar Kumar |
| Varun Chakaravarthy | Josh Hazlewood |
| Spencer Johnson / Anrich Nortje | Yash Dayal |
| Vaibhav Arora | Swapnil Singh / Mohit Rathee / Rasikh Salam |
Today Dream11 Fantasy Cricket Teams Selection Guide
The IPL is a stage where cricketing talent shines, and selecting the best players is crucial for team success.
Here, we break down the teams into categories, highlighting their strengths and key players.
1. Consistent Performers
Consistency is key in the IPL, and these players have proven themselves time and again with solid performances.
Team A:
Team B:
2. High Impact Players
These players can turn the game on its head with match-winning performances.
Team A:
Team B:
3. Emerging Talents
These young and promising players are making their mark in the IPL.
Team A:
Team B:
4. Captain’s Team
A squad built around experienced leaders and match-winners.
Team A:
Team B:
5. High Risk, High Reward
This category features players who can deliver explosive performances but also come with unpredictability.
Team A:
Team B:
6. Under-the-Radar Team
Players may not always be in the spotlight but contribute significantly.
Team A:
Team B:
Each category of teams features a mix of experienced players, rising stars, and impact performers.
Whether it's the consistent pillars, high-risk players, or under-the-radar gems, every selection plays a crucial role in shaping the tournament’s outcome.
Who do you think will shine the brightest this IPL season? Let us know in the comments!
Captain & Vice-Captain Choices
| Player | Captain-Choice? | Vice-Captain Choice? |
|---|---|---|
| Sunil Narine (KKR) | ✅ | ✅ |
| Virat Kohli (RCB) | ✅ | ✅ |
| Varun Chakravarthy (KKR) | ✅ | ❌ |
| Rajat Patidar (RCB) | ❌ | ✅ |
Players to Avoid in Dream11 Team
| Player | Dream11 Credits | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Devdutt Padikkal | 7.0 credits | Uncertain in playing XI |
| Manish Pandey | 7.0 credits | Lacks recent match practice |
Match Winner Prediction
| Team | Winning Probability |
|---|---|
| Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) | 55% |
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) | 45% |
With home advantage and a strong record against RCB, KKR is slightly favored to win this match.
However, RCB has match-winners like Virat Kohli and Livingstone, who can turn the game around.
Conclusion
The IPL 2025 opener promises to be a thrilling contest.
Fantasy players should build teams wisely, keeping an eye on form, pitch conditions, and head-to-head records.
Who do you think will win? Let us know in the comments! 🚀
Thanks for reading! KKR vs RCB, Match 1 Today Fantasy Cricket Team: Best Picks and Predictions you can check out on google.