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Kolkata Knight Riders vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru IPL Tips - Hosts likely winners

By Sridhar Bhamidi

21 Mar 2025

Sridhar Bhamidi 21 Mar 2025

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Kolkata Knight Riders vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru IPL match predictions to be played in Kolkata on Saturday, March 22
Kolkata won 6 of their last 7 IPL matches against Bengaluru
Bengaluru lost 4 of their 5 recent matches against Kolkata at Eden Gardens

Can Kolkata continue their recent winning record against Bengaluru? (Getty Images)

Kolkata Knight Riders vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru IPL

It’s a brand-new season of the Indian Premier League, and the 2025 edition will kick off in Kolkata, where the defending champions, Kolkata Knight Riders, will take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru. This match will be played at the Eden Gardens on Saturday, with action starting at 7:30 pm IST.

Kolkata Knight Riders vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru IPL
Head to Head
Kolkata Knight Riders Form
Kolkata Knight Riders Team News
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Form
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Team News
Kolkata Knight Riders vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru IPL FAQs

The Kolkata team had to revamp their entire management team ahead of this season, but their core team remains the same. With a strong focus on playing aggressive cricket, they dominated last season. Bengaluru have always been over-dependent on a few players, and that could prove to be their undoing. I am backing Kolkata here.

Kolkata won 6 of their last 7 matches against Bengaluru in the IPL.
Kolkata won 4 of their last 5 matches against Bengaluru at Eden Gardens in the IPL.
Kolkata won their last 6 matches last season in the IPL.
Bengaluru lost 4 of their last 7 away matches in the IPL.

Head to Head

Kolkata and Bengaluru have played each other in 35 IPL matches so far, with KKR winning 21 and losing 14. The Knight Riders have been the dominant team at this venue, winning eight and losing four matches between these sides.

Last season, Kolkata won both the matches in the IPL season against Bengaluru, winning by seven wickets at Chinnaswamy and by one run at the Eden Gardens.

Kolkata Knight Riders Form

Kolkata were the champions last season and ended with six wins out of six completed matches. At home, they won five of the seven matches played, including a one-run win over Bengaluru.

The Knight Riders retained most of their team from last season while adding some key names. Ajinkya Rahane comes into the team and will be the captain, while Quinton de Kock gets in to replace Phil Salt.

Vice-captain Venkatesh Iyer, Sunil Narine, and Andre Russell are likely to continue to be KKR’s best bets to continue their aggressive play.

Kolkata Knight Riders Team News

The four overseas players are likely to be Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Quinton de Kock, and Spencer Johnson. Anrich Nortje is also likely to push hard for a starting role, although his recent injury status could mean a chance for Johnson.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru Form

Royal Challengers Bengaluru finished fourth last season and pipped three more teams that finished on 14 points on net run rate. They were then beaten in the eliminator by Rajasthan Royals.

The offseason saw Bengaluru appoint Rajat Patidar as their new captain. Their bowling underwent a change, with Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood bought at auction.

The likes of Jacob Bethell, Krunal Pandya, and Jitesh Sharma are expected to provide better depth, as RCB look to go past their tag of failing to win an IPL title.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru Team News

Phil Salt, Liam Livingstone, and Josh Hazlewood are likely to be their top three overseas players. The fourth spot could go to Tim David or Jacob Bethell.

Kolkata Knight Riders vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru IPL FAQs

Where can I watch the Kolkata Knight Riders vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru IPL live stream?

Our live streaming calendar shows you where to watch the Kolkata Knight Riders vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru IPL live stream.

What time does Kolkata Knight Riders vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru IPL start?

This Kolkata Knight Riders vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru IPL match is being played at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, starting at 7:30 p.m. IST on Saturday, March 22.

Verdict

Kolkata Knight Riders v Royal Challengers Bangalore - T20

Royal Challengers Bengaluru have gone through a complete overhaul of their bowling unit, as they look to make a winning start. It’s never easy to back teams so early in the season, but KKR’s continuity gives them a slight edge. The Knight Riders could enjoy the conditions too, and that’s why I am backing the Kolkata team to make a winning start this season.