Kolkata : Defending champion Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) is all set to kickstart IPL 2025 campaign from March 22, 2025 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at home ground Eden Gardens.
Last year, the duo of Phil Salt and Sunil Narine broke opposition bowlers and smashed them all over the park. However, in auction, Salt couldn’t be bought back and therefore, KKR will be fielding new opening duo for IPL 2025.
As of now, there are 2 options in the opening slot for KKR. Quinton de Kock and skipper Ajinkya Rahane, or Quinton de Kock along with Sunil Narine. With Narine’s Batting form peaking last year and De Kock showing sparkling Batting form in practice match, the likely opening duo might be De Kock-Narine. Besides this, Narine also serves as good bowling option.
The strong Batting order continues with likes of skipper Ajinkya Rahane, vice captain Venkatesh Iyer, young sensation Angrish Raghuvanshi, big hitters like Rinku Singh, Ramandeep Singh and all-rounder, Andre Russell, whose name needs no mentions.
KKR will go with Antich Nortje against RCB ahead of Spencer Johnson as foreign pace option. Harshit Rana, Vaibhav Arora are the rest to youths who serves as good death bowling options.
Iconic spinner Varun Chakaravarthy will be used as an impact player switching with Raghuvar.
KKR First Playing XI
1. De Kock
2. Ajinkya Rahane
3. Angrish Raghuvanshi (Imp)
4. Venkatesh Iyer
5. Rinku Singh
6. Ramandeep
7. Andrew Russel
8. Sunil Narine
9. Anrich Nortje
10. Harshit Rana
11. Vaibhav Arora
12. Varun Chakravarthy (Imp).
