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KKR`s Ajinkya Rahane shines in IPL 2025 opener, scoring a half-century against RCB, who faced bowling challenges.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) faced off against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RC in a thrilling opener of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 at Eden Gardens. KKR, under the leadership of new captain Ajinkya Rahane, posted a competitive score of 174 runs for the loss of 8 wickets in their allotted 20 overs. Rahane made a notable impact on his captaincy debut, scoring a half-century to anchor KKR`s innings.

RCB won the toss and opted to bowl first, a decision that seemed strategic given their strengthened bowling lineup featuring new signings Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar. The RCB bowlers effectively contained KKR`s scoring, setting the stage for an exciting chase.

In response, RCB began their innings with a solid performance, with Phil Salt making significant contributions against his former team. The match set a vibrant tone for the IPL season, showcasing the potential of both teams to make a strong impression. Former India cricketer Sarandeep Singh highlighted concerns regarding RCB’s player retention and KKR’s release of key players like Shreyas Iyer and Mitchell Starc, which could influence their performance as the season progresses. Singh also predicted that teams like Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Punjab Kings, and Sunrisers Hyderabad are likely to make it to the playoffs this season.

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