Kolkata: The 18th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is all set to begin with a bang this evening with defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) taking on Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in a high-voltage clash at Eden Gardens.

KKR, a three-time IPL champion, will be led by Ajinkya Rahane this season as they look to secure back-to-back titles. The side boasts a formidable batting lineup, with the experienced Sunil Narine expected to continue his stellar form alongside Quinton de Kock at the top. Rahane and Venkatesh Iyer will provide stability in the middle order, while finishers Rinku Singh, Andre Russell and Ramandeep Singh will be key in the death overs.

The bowling attack, spearheaded by South African pacer Anrich Nortje, also features Harshit Rana, Vaibhav Arora and Varun Chakravarthy. KKR’s spin department remains a major strength, with Narine and Chakravarthy expected to play a crucial role on the Eden   Gardens surface.

Meanwhile, RCB, still in pursuit of their maiden IPL title, will be led by Rajat Patidar. The Bengaluru-based franchise will rely on the batting prowess of Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, Liam Livingstone and Patidar to anchor their innings. Kohli, who amassed 741 runs last season, remains the lynchpin of their batting unit.

RCB’s allrounders, including Krunal Pandya, Jacob Bethell and Tim David, add depth to both departments. Their pace attack, bolstered by the inclusion of Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, will look to contain KKR’s explosive batting lineup. However, the absence of a seasoned frontline spinner could pose challenges for the visitors.

Eden Gardens, known for its high-scoring encounters, saw eight scores surpassing the 200-run mark last season. The pitch is expected to favour batsmen, though spinners may come into play as the match progresses. Weather forecasts indicate a possibility of rain, which could influence team strategies.

With the home advantage and a balanced squad, KKR will aim to start their title defence on a winning note. However, RCB’s power-packed lineup remains capable of pulling off an upset, setting the stage for an enthralling IPL 2025 opener.

Teams

Kolkata Knight Riders: Manish Pandey, Ajinkya Rahane (Captain), Rinku Singh, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Rovman Powell, Anukul Roy, Ramandeep Singh, Venkatesh Iyer, Moeen Ali, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Quinton de Kock, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Luvnith Sisodia, Varun Chakaravarthy, Mayank Markande, Vaibhav Arora, Harshit Rana, Anrich Nortje, Spencer Johnson and Chetan Sakariya.

Royal Challengers Bangalore: Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar (Captain), Devdutt Padikkal, Swastik Chikara, Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Liam Livingstone, Manoj Bhandage, Jacob Bethell, Romario Shepherd, Swapnil Singh, Mohit Rathee, Philip Salt, Jitesh Sharma, Josh Hazlewood, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Lungi Ngidi, Rasikh Dar Salam, Suyash Sharma, Yash Dayal, Nuwan Thushara and Abhinandan Singh.