KKR IPL 2025: Full Schedule, Best Playing XI & Key Battles Against RCB

14 March 2025 9:52 AM IST

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are gearing up to defend their title as IPL 2025 kicks off. With a fresh start under new skipper Ajinkya Rahane, the two-time IPL champions will begin their campaign against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on March 22 at Eden Gardens. As excitement builds, let’s take a deep dive into KKR’s IPL 2025 journey, their strongest playing XI, and their much-anticipated clash against RCB.

KKR IPL 2025 Full Schedule

KKR will play 14 matches in the league stage, facing each team at least once. Here’s a look at their schedule:

March 22 (Saturday) – vs RCB, Eden Gardens, Kolkata (7:30 PM IST)

March 26 (Wednesday) – vs RR, Barsapara Stadium, Guwahati (7:30 PM IST)

March 31 (Monday) – vs MI, Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai (7:30 PM IST)

April 3 (Thursday) – vs SRH, Eden Gardens, Kolkata (7:30 PM IST)

April 6 (Sunday) – vs LSG, Eden Gardens, Kolkata (3:30 PM IST)

April 11 (Friday) – vs CSK, Chepauk, Chennai (7:30 PM IST)

April 15 (Tuesday) – vs PBKS, New Chandigarh (7:30 PM IST)

April 21 (Monday) – vs GT, Eden Gardens, Kolkata (7:30 PM IST)

April 26 (Saturday) – vs PBKS, Eden Gardens, Kolkata (7:30 PM IST)

April 29 (Tuesday) – vs DC, Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi (7:30 PM IST)

May 4 (Sunday) – vs RR, Eden Gardens, Kolkata (3:30 PM IST)

May 7 (Wednesday) – vs CSK, Eden Gardens, Kolkata (7:30 PM IST)

May 10 (Saturday) – vs SRH, Hyderabad (7:30 PM IST)

May 17 (Saturday) – vs RCB, Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru (7:30 PM IST)

KKR’s Best Playing XI for IPL 2025

KKR has built a solid squad with a mix of explosive batters, reliable all-rounders, and a potent bowling attack. Here’s their strongest playing XI:

Openers:

Quinton de Kock – Power-hitter who can give aggressive starts.

Sunil Narine – Reliable pinch-hitter and dangerous spinner.

Middle-order Batters:

Venkatesh Iyer – Left-handed power hitter with finishing skills.

Ajinkya Rahane (C) – Experienced batter and team leader.

Manish Pandey – Adds stability in the middle order.

Rinku Singh – One of the best finishers in T20 cricket.

All-rounder:

Andre Russell – Explosive batter and wicket-taking bowler.

Bowlers:

Anrich Nortje – Express fast bowler.

Varun Chakravarthy – Mystery spinner.

Harshit Rana – Young pacer with potential.

Vaibhav Arora – Effective swing bowler.

Impact Player:

Mayank Markande (In for Manish Pandey when needed) – A quality leg-spinner.

KKR vs RCB: A Rivalry to Watch Out For

The KKR vs RCB clash has always been a thrilling contest in IPL history. Both teams have some of the biggest T20 stars, and their encounters are often nail-biters.

KKR and RCB Head to Head Win in IPL

So far, Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bengaluru have faced each other multiple times in IPL, with KKR having the edge in overall wins. When looking at the KKR vs RCB head to head record, KKR has dominated in key encounters, including the famous 2017 match where they bowled out RCB for just 49 runs—the lowest total in IPL history. This season, with Ajinkya Rahane leading KKR and RCB’s strong lineup, the battle between these two powerhouses promises to be thrilling. The contest between KKR’s mystery spinners and RCB’s explosive batting lineup will play a crucial role in determining the outcome.

Key Battles to Watch Out For in KKR vs RCB

Quinton de Kock vs Mohammed Siraj – KKR’s opener against RCB’s pace spearhead.

Andre Russell vs Glenn Maxwell – Two of the best T20 all-rounders in action.

Varun Chakravarthy vs Virat Kohli – Can Varun stop Kohli from scoring big?

Final Thoughts

KKR is all set to defend its title with a strong squad and experienced players. With a well-balanced team, powerful batters, and a top-class bowling attack, they will be aiming for their third IPL trophy. Their match against RCB is expected to be one of the most exciting games of the season. As IPL 2025 kicks off, fans can look forward to thrilling matches and high-energy action. Stay tuned to Fantasy Khiladi for the latest updates on KKR and their IPL journey!