IPL 2025: KKR vs RCB: New Rules

The 18th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) kicks off with a thrilling opener between the defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and perennial underachievers Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on Saturday. With new rules, fresh leadership, and a looming rain threat, the IPL 2025 opener is sure to bring the excitement.

This season introduces several exciting changes, starting with the lifting of the saliva ban. For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, bowlers are allowed to use saliva to shine the ball. The BCCI’s decision, made after a consensus at the captains’ meeting in Mumbai, could set a global precedent, overturning the International Cricket Council’s permanent ban introduced in 2022.

Another major change aims to counter the impact of dew in evening matches. From the 11th over of the second innings, a fresh ball will be introduced if the umpires deem the dew factor significant. This change is set to keep the high-scoring trend alive but won’t apply to afternoon matches. Additionally, the Decision Review System (DRS) has been expanded to include height wides and off-side wides for fairer adjudication of deliveries.

This year, seven teams will have new captains, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the season. Rajat Patidar, who has yet to play a T20I for India, will lead RCB, a team that features the mega-star Virat Kohli. Axar Patel takes charge of the Delhi Capitals, where he’ll be joined by senior India player KL Rahul, hoping to bounce back from a challenging 2024 with the Lucknow Super Giants.

Shreyas Iyer, who led KKR to victory in 2024, will now captain Punjab Kings, with Ajinkya Rahane taking over KKR’s reins. Rajasthan Royals will begin with Riyan Parag as interim captain for the first three matches due to Sanju Samson’s delayed recovery from a finger injury. Meanwhile, Suryakumar Yadav will lead Mumbai Indians in their away opener against Chennai Super Kings on Sunday, as Hardik Pandya serves a suspension for an over-rate violation.

Rishabh Pant is set to prove his worth after a heroic comeback from a life-threatening accident. The IPL’s most expensive player, bought by the Lucknow Super Giants for a record INR 27 crore, will be eager to silence his critics and make a strong case for his future in the Indian team. His explosive batting and leadership skills will be under scrutiny as he attempts to justify his hefty price tag.

There are significant changes in the coaching staff too. Ricky Ponting has moved from the Delhi Capitals to the Punjab Kings, while Hemang Badani replaces him as the head coach of Delhi. Kevin Pietersen joins Delhi Capitals as a mentor, while Rahul Dravid makes his return to IPL coaching with Rajasthan Royals. Dwayne Bravo, the CSK veteran, will mentor KKR, replacing Gautam Gambhir, who now serves as India’s head coach.

A key storyline for IPL 2025 is Jasprit Bumrah’s fitness. The Mumbai Indians pacer is undergoing fitness assessments at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru. His availability is crucial not only for MI but also for India’s upcoming tour of England.

Meanwhile, the ever-popular Mahendra Singh Dhoni returns for what could be his last IPL season. At 43, Dhoni may not be the match-winner he once was, but his sharp cricketing mind and leadership skills continue to make him an invaluable asset to the Chennai Super Kings.

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who retired from T20Is after India’s World Cup triumph, return to the IPL 2025 as the two most prominent names in the shortest format. Kohli, the highest run scorer of IPL 2024, remains RCB’s lynchpin, while Rohit will aim to rediscover his form for the Mumbai Indians after a lean patch.

The season opener at Eden Gardens promises to be a blockbuster. Seventeen years ago, Brendon McCullum’s blistering 158 set the tone for the IPL. Since then, KKR has claimed three titles, while RCB is still on the hunt for its first.

This time, KKR, often prone to slumps after a championship win, will look to defy history under Rahane’s leadership. The battle between spinners Varun Chakravarthy and Sunil Narine against RCB’s top-order, including Kohli and Phil Salt, will be a key contest. For RCB, the absence of Mohammed Siraj will see Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood step up in Eden’s spin-friendly conditions.

The IPL 2025 opener will feature a glittery opening ceremony with performances by Shreya Ghoshal, Karan Aujla, and Disha Patani. However, all the excitement might be dampened as there is a forecast of thunderstorms and rain, which could affect the match.