That's a wrap for our coverage of the KKR vs RCB game, but the IPL 2025 festival has only just begun. We have a double-header tomorrow!

Game 1: Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Rajasthan Royals (3:30 PM IST)

Game 2: Chennai Super Kings vs Mumbai Indians (7:30 PM IST)

Do join us on NDTV Sports tomorrow, as we bring you the live and latest of the festival of Indian cricket. Until then, thank you and goodbye.

Well-deserved award for the all-rounder. The 33-year-old came in when Narine and Rahane were going berserk, and picked up three crucial wickets of Rahane, Venkatesh and Rinku. Turned the tide of the game. Continues to prove his worth year-after-year.

RCB had lost all four of their games against KKR in the last two editions of the IPL, so this will be a welcome win for them. It now reads 15-20, still in favour of the men in purple.

The two teams play again in their very last league game, on May 17, so KKR will need to wait a while for revenge.

KKR play again in four days' time, as they take on Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati, where RR's stand-in-captain Riyan Parag will feel right at home. KKR will need a much better performance on all aspects.

For RCB, they have the big challenge of facing Chennai Super Kings at the Chepauk stadium.

In a tournament that is decided by small margins, this will be a big net-run-rate setback for KKR. Similarly, a huge boost for RCB. The men in purple will need to put together some big wins to erase the effects of this crushing defeat.

It could've all panned out so differently had KKR managed to build on their start. They were 107/1 in 9.5 overs, remember. There onwards, only one team dominated. Excellent work by Krunal Pandya and Josh Hazlewood, as KKR's middle order fell apart. 

With the bat, RCB left no doubts for their fans right from ball 1. Ex-KKR man Phil Salt started off with a bang, Virat Kohli was the anchor-par-excellence, and Rajat Patidar put the icing on the cake.

FOUR AND VICTORY! RCB beat KKR by 7 wickets, and it is a dominant victory! Liam Livingstone slams it through mid-on for 4, for the winning runs. Virat Kohli stays unbeaten till the end, on 59 off 36 balls.

RCB 177/3 (16.2)

Huge hit by Liam Livingstone! Short by Spencer Johnson, Livingstone uses the pace and pulls it away over fine leg for a 63m maximum. RCB need 2 more runs to win. This will be huge for their net run rate!

RCB 173/3 (16.1)

Liam Livingstone has been given a clear message: finish the game as quickly as possible. Pitched short and pulled away by the powerful Brit for 4. Great start, gets applause from Virat Kohli.

RCB 166/3 (15.4)

Rajat Patidar has done his job! An excellent innings of 34 off 16 balls, but he departs. Rinku Singh takes the catch at deep mid-wicket. Patidar slammed five superb boundaries, and a six, but he won't see his team home.

RCB need only 13 runs to win, with 27 balls left. 

RCB 162/3 (15.3)

Rajat Patidar seems to be in a hurry to finish off this run chase. FOUR boundaries off Harshit Rana in the 15th over. RCB need just 18 more in five overs. This will be a statement victory by RCB, at the home of the reigning champions.

RCB 157/2 (15)

Virat Kohli is set to guide his team to victory in another run chase. What a knock he's played. Attacked from ball 1, given the perfect support to Salt, and now leading his team home. The Orange Cap winner of 2024 will wear it from the first match in 2025.

Meanwhile, two more boundaries for Patidar! Less than run-a-ball needed now.

RCB 147/2 (14.3)

Captain Patidar into the act! Tossed up by Sunil Narine, Patidar sends it well over the ropes for a maxium. First big shot for him. RCB now need only 37 runs in 36 balls. Seems like an easy victory for them at this stage.

RCB 138/2 (14)

Virat Kohli has scored more than 1,000 runs in IPL against 4 different teams: CSK, DC, PBKS and now KKR. His four times is way more than anyone else, with the next best being David Warner against two teams.

VIRAT KOHLI 50! Slams it through the covers for a boundary, reaches his half-century in 30 balls. The 'chasemaster' is at work, and he has been excellent today. Built his innings up perfectly, four 4s and three 6s.

RCB 127/2 (13)

KKR haven't taken a new ball yet. Whether they want to or not is still not clear, but it is up to the umpire's discretion whether it can be implemented.

RCB have Virat Kohli and captain Rajat Patidar at the crease now. They need 56 runs in just 48 balls. These two are the perfect men to have in charge of such a run chase. RCB should get to their target comfortably today.

RCB 119/2 (12)

NARINE STRIKES! Devdutt Padikkal comes down the track, looking to go big. Finds Ramandeep Singh's safe hands at deep mid-wicket. KKR need many more wickets, and quickly, if they are to try and win today.

RCB 118/2 (11.4)

Virat Kohli clears the ropes! In the slot on this occasion by Varun Chakravarthy, Kohli goes over long on for a clean 6. Up to 45 now, in what has been a classy knock today.

RCB 112/1 (10.3)

Virat Kohli has now reached 1,000 runs vs KKR in IPL history, but the run almost went wrong! They were trying for two, and Devdutt Padikkal slipped. But the throw from the deep was poor. Padikkal pounced on his lifeline, and got 4 next ball!

RCB 104/1 (10)

Varun Chakravarthy strikes! Salt trying to go for a maximum, gets no timing on it, and a great sharp catch taken by Spencer Johnson at short third man. But Salt has done a fantastic job. He departs for 56 off 31 balls.

RCB 95/1 (8.3)

Sunil Narine bowls a clean first over, gives away just 5 runs. But this will not be enough. RCB's required run rate is only 7, and they'll cruise to victory at this rate. Still not a single wicket lost by them. KKR need wickets, KKR need an RCB collapse.

RCB 91/0 (8)

Half-century for Phil Salt in just 25 deliveries! Same as Ajinkya Rahane in the first innings, but crucially for RCB, no wicket lost yet. They're cruising towards their target here. Cracking knock by Salt, eight 4s, two 6s.

RCB 86/0 (7)

Amidst Phil Salt's innings, Kohli's incredible start seems to be going under the radar. Takes the offence to Varun immediately, picks the gap between two fielders on the leg side. 34 off 16 now, Kohli.

RCB 85/0 (6.3)

Harshit Rana with a tight over, gives away only 5 runs. Ramandeep Singh is back up, and seems to be on the field still, which is great news. Time for a strategic timeout, but KKR need a miracle.

RCB 80/0 (6)

Ramandeep Singh seems to be hurt. Mistimed by Kohli, Ramandeep dived to try and take a diving stunner. The ball ricochets off his hands, and he seems to be in a lot of pain here. Let's hope it is nothing serious for Ramandeep.

RCB 79/0 (5.5)

Phil Salt plays it beautifully, delicately. Short ball, swinging back in. Salt cuts it through third man. Places it exquisitely between two fielders, picks up 4 more. Up to 48 in just 21 balls. RCB are going at 15 runs an over!

RCB 75/0 (5)

VIRAT KOHLI! Incredible hitting. Spencer Johnson bowls two in the slot, Kohli sends them both back over his head, straight and sweet for two 6s! Unreal hitting, RCB are cruising to victory here. 

RCB 70/0 (4.2)

Phil Salt has gone berserk! 21 runs off Varun Chakravarthy's over. RCB have reached 58 in just 4 overs. Incredible, incredible hitting. KKR look clueless at the moment.

RCB 58/0 (4)

Phil Salt is in no mood to respect the opposition bowling! Clears the circle, good hit, 4 runs. Over mid-off. Next ball, hit even cleaner! 6 more, same area. 50 up for RCB in just 3.4 overs. The run chase is looking easy now.

RCB 50/0 (3.4)

Three boundaries and a six off Vaibhav Arora's second over. RCB are motoring along in fine pace here. Phil Salt the aggressor, but Virat Kohli has found the boundaries as well. Great start by the chasing team. 

Rahane has been forced into a change, and Varun Chakravarthy will come in to bowl now.

RCB 37/0 (3)

Phil Salt is making his old team pay! A man so instrumental in KKR's title win last year, now Salt is in the groove against them. First 4, then a big 6 over long-on. Vaibhav Arora going for plenty of runs early on.

RCB 27/0 (2.2)

Spencer Johnson bowls a neat over. Tightens his line, not giving Salt the room to free his arms. Clever bowling by the Australian left-arm seamer. Just 5 runs off it. KKR need wickets, though. At least a couple in the powerplay to stand a chance.

RCB 17/0 (2)

Spencer Johnson into the attack. Swings it away from Salt in the first two balls. Puts one back in on the third and Salt punishes. Opens the face of the bat, slams it through the covers.

RCB 16/0 (1.3)

Virat Kohli off the mark with 4! Kohli flicks it over the 30-yard circle. The ball lost momentum as it went towards the boundary, Harshit Rana dived in but it wasn't enough. 12 off the first over, RCB up and running.

RCB 12/0 (1)

BANG! Driven, hard, sweet crunch. Phil Salt starts off in style, with force, with power. RCB off to the best start. Next ball is very wide by Arora, and de Kock does brilliantly to grab it. Not an ideal start for the men in purple.

RCB 5/0 (0.1)

Remember, we might see a second new ball after the 10th over to counter the dew factor. Could that help KKR defend this total? Vaibhav Arora and Spencer Johnson expected to bowl the opening overs here, with Harshit Rana entering first change.

Virat Kohli and Phil Salt will open the batting for RCB, as expected. KKR bowlers have a tough job ahead of them, with only 175 to defend. Pacer Vaibhav Arora comes in as the impact player for KKR, with Angkrish Raghuvanshi taken off.

Krunal Pandya picked up three huge wickets, getting Ajinkya Rahane, Venkatesh Iyer and Rinku Singh. His 3/29 helped RCB put the brakes on KKR in the middle overs. Fine spell by Hazlewood at the top and the death, ending with figures of 2/22.

A big job in front of Varun Chakravarthy and co, if the reigning champs want to start their title defence on a winning note.

KKR were running away with it at 107/1 in 9.5 overs, led by Ajinkya Rahane and Sunil Narine. But crucial wickets by Krunal Pandya and excellent death bowling by Josh Hazlewood and Yash Dayal has meant that they've managed only 174.

KKR 174/8 (20 overs)

RCB Target: 175

One more wicket! Hazlewood has bowled a sensational final over. Three dots and a lucky boundary, and now Hazlewood gets Harshit Rana. The tailender tries to go big, doesn't get the timing and Jitesh Sharma takes a good catch. What a comeback by RCB into this contest.

KKR 173/9 (19.5)

What a 19th over this is by Yash Dayal. Raghuvanshi tries to go big, picks up an edge and caught behind by Jitesh Sharma. KKR have got only 3 runs in five balls in this over. The Knight Riders have lost their way in the middle overs, and RCB are on top here.

KKR 168/7 (18.5)

Much-needed SIX by Angkrish Raghuvanshi. Knuckle ball by Hazlewood, and dispatched over mid-wicket by the youngster. KKR need these runs desperately. Their dreams of 200 are fading away, and they need some lusty blows here. 

Still, only 10 off the over at a crucial stage.

KKR 165/6 (18)

Suyash Sharma off, Devdutt Padikkal on! That's the first impact player swap of IPL 2025. Padikkal is expected to bat at No. 3 or No. 4 for RCB in the middle order. Let's see how he does.

After the auction, RCB looked thin in the spin-bowling department. But they've stepped up today. Krunal Pandya with an exceptional spell, and now Suyash has also made his mark on the wickets'  column. Looks like spin and pace off is the way forward for bowlers on this Eden track.

KKR 151/6 (16)

At one stage, 220 was looking very gettable for KKR. Now, they would do well to reach 200. Ramandeep Singh is up next, and he's the last recognized batter in the lineup. A lot of responsibility on him and Angkrish Raghuvanshi to provide the perfect finish for the defending champions.

HUGE WICKET! Andre Russell is clean bowled by Suyash Sharma. The big Jamaican tries to go big, misses it completely, Suyash Sharma strikes! First wicket of the evening for the young wrist-spinner. KKR have lost their way in the middle overs.

KKR 1150/6 (15.4)

Krunal Pandya gets a third wicket! WOW! Rinku Singh clean bowled this time. Almost carbon copy dismissal to Venkatesh. Swings hard, misses, and is castled. Krunal ends with 3/29 in 4 overs - wickets of Rahane, Venkatesh and Rinku!

KKR 145/5 (15)

Part-time Liam Livingstone came in to bowl. Started off well, but Rinku Singh picks up a boundary and some runs to end the over. KKR still going at more than 10 runs an over, but the flurry of 6s and 4s has just stopped.

KKR 141/4 (14)

Krunal Pandya is bowling an excellent spell here. On a pitch where nearly every bowler is going for runs, the veteran has delivered with 2 wickets, conceding only 25 runs in 3 overs. KKR still with a rate of over 10 runs an over, but they'd be hoping for 200-220 today.

KKR 131/4 (13)

CLEAN BOWLED! Krunal Pandya is proving to be clutch here. Venkatesh Iyer has to walk back. Tries to swing hard, misses it completely, and the ball crashes into the stumps. Krunal pumps his fists in delight, KKR lose another wicket.

KKR 125/4 (12.1)

Class. Pure class from 20-year-old Angkrish Raghuvanshi. First hits it delicately over cover for a boundary, and then an excellent late cut for 4 more! 14 runs for KKR in that over then, and they keep the good run rate going.

KKR 124/3 (12)

Venkatesh Iyer finally gets a boundary. Pitched short, Venkatesh turns around, lofts and finds the gap at fine leg. Much-needed 4 for KKR, as they aim to recover after the setback. 

KKR 115/3 (11.3)

It will be interesting to see how KKR recover from this. Two new batters at the crease now, Venkatesh Iyer and Angkrish Raghuvanshi. Can RCB build on this momentum and restrict the scoring rate? Just 3 runs off the over.

KKR 110/3 (11)

Ajinkya Rahane is gone! Krunal Pandya is the wicket-taker. Two wickets in four balls lost by KKR, and both set batters are back in the dugout. Rahane trying to go big, picks out Rasikh Dar at deep square leg. Great catch.

Rahane gone for 56 off 31 balls. KKR in a spot of bother now.

KKR 109/3 (10.3)

Venkatesh Iyer is in to bat. Mind-boggling Rs 23.75 crore spent on him in the auction. Lots of expectation on him, can he step up? He's got a set Ajinkya Rahane on the other end to give him company. 

KKR 109/2 (10.2)

Huge wicket for RCB! Sunil Narine was in the 40s, but gives a catch to Jitesh Sharma! Tries to go big, gets a thick edge, relief for the men in red and black. RCB strike with the final ball of the 10th over. 

End of a stunning 103-run partnership, Narine out for 44 off 26. He's done his job.

KKR 107/2 (10)

Full toss, Sunil Narine places it through the covers brilliantly. 100 up for KKR in just 9.3 overs! This has been some brilliant hitting. Remember, they were 9/1 after 3 overs, so they've scored 90 runs in just 6.3 overs. Stunning hitting.

KKR 101/1 (9.3)

Sunil Narine times that to absolute perfection. Width offered by Suyash Sharma, Narine helps himself to a maximum. Over extra cover, handsome shot. Next ball, 4! In the slot, hit straight back and hard. 22 OFF THAT OVER!

KKR 96/1 (9)

Another HUGE SIX to bring up the half-century. 50 for Ajinkya Rahane, in just 25 balls. Came in at a tough stage, dealt in boundaries. Class knock, by a class player. KKR's captain has led from the front and in style.

KKR 83/1 (8.2)

Clever bowling by Rasikh there, for most of that over. A couple of loose ones, resulting in two wides and a boundary by Narine, but tidy stuff otherwise. Pace off seems to be working for the seamers, the batters finding it difficult to time it.

KKR 74/1 (8)

Just 5 runs come off Suyash's first over. Three dots and a single after the boundary. Good comeback by the leg-spinner, who used to previously play for KKR. A bit of a brake put on Rahane's onslaught.

KKR 65/1 (7)

Former KKR spinner Suyash Sharma enters the attack. Remember, he dropped a catch in the very first over. Gives a loose ball to Rahane, who picks up a boundary in the second ball. Rahane in the 40s now, motoring along.

KKR 64/1 (6.2)

KKR end the powerplay at 60/1. What a change in momentum. Only 9 runs in the first three overs, and then a mind-boggling switch of gears, led by KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane. He is on 39 off just 16 balls! 

Time for a strategic timeout.

KKR 60/1 (6)

Sunil Narine begins the final over of the powerplay with a boundary off Yash Dayal. Two balls later, Ajinkya Rahane continues the party! 4, 6, 4! KKR have hit the accelerator, and in some style! Amazing stuff here by the defending champs.

KKR 59/1 (5.5)

Ajinkya Rahane is having an excellent start here. Continues the merry flow of runs. He has carried his form from domestic cricket into IPL 2025! Two boundaries in a row. First a sweep shot through fine leg, then picks the gap over the in-field through mid-wicket. 15 off the over.

KKR 40/1 (5)

Patidar introduces spin into the attack, and Sunil Narine gives the grandest welcome! Huge six, off Krunal Pandya. In the hitting arc, Narine swings and strikes it sweetly. KKR now getting the move-on.

KKR 31/1 (4.1)

Ajinkya Rahane goes MASSIVE! Over mid-wicket, into the stands. That's the biggest of the lot. The KKR captain has gone berserk here. 16 off Rasikh Dar's over, and a much-needed run relief for KKR. Captain leading from the front.

KKR 25/1 (4)

First boundary for new captain Ajinkya Rahane! KKR need to start finding these boundaries thick and fast now. Poor ball by Rasikh Salam Dar, down the leg side. Easy flick through fine leg for 4. Next ball, SIX! Superb shot, over deep square leg.

KKR 19/1 (3.3)

Short delivery by Josh Hazlewood, Narine clearly uncomfortable but gets a top edge trying to swing hard. Goes over the keeper, and through for a necessary boundary. Will that help him break loose?

KKR 9/1 (2.4)

1 run off 8 balls here for Sunil Narine. Swinging at every delivery, but not getting any connection whatsoever. Josh Hazlewood is bowling a superb opening spell, bowling it wide enough for Narine to miss it. KKR off to a poor start. 

KKR 5/1 (2.3)

Yash Dayal is on point here. Bowls an excellent second over. Puts in some excellent yorkers, particularly to Sunil Narine. Just 1 run comes in that over. RCB firmly on top here in the opening stages, nervous start by the men in purple.

KKR 5/1 (2)

It is all happening out here! Yash Dayal to Sunil Narine, down the legside, taken by Jitesh behind the stumps. RCB go up with a loud appeal, but the umpire gives not out. Big discussion, but no review taken in the end by Rajat Patidar. Shaky start for KKR!

KKR 4/1 (1.1)

Josh Hazlewood strikes! RCB get their wicket! Quinton de Kock attempts the square cut, but gets a thick edge. East catch for Jitesh Sharma behind the stumps. RCB draw first blood, and it is a disappointing start for de Kock in purple.

KKR 4/1 (0.5)

Suyash Sharma has dropped a sitter! Quinton de Kock hit it straight up, no timing. The former KKR player Suyash came underneath it, but has dropped a complete sitter. Huge disappointment. Virat Kohli is visibly upset.

KKR 4/0 (0.3)

Josh Hazlewood to Quinton de Kock, ball 1 is a dot! Ball 2? Cracking shot by Quinton de Kock, picks up 4! First boundary for him in KKR colours.

KKR 4/0 (0.2)

ICC President Jay Shah and Kolkata's favourite son Sourav Ganguly ring the iconic Eden Gardens bell. IPL 2025 is underway!  Sunil Narine and Quinton de Kock out to open the batting for KKR. Josh Hazlewood, fit again, will take the new ball for RCB.

RCB's Playing XI vs KKR:

Virat Kohli, Phil Salt (wk), Rajat Patidar (c), Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma, Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Rasikh Dar Salam, Suyash Sharma, Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal.

No Bhuvneshwar Kumar! Huge miss for RCB. He was bought for a big fee, remember.

KKR's Playing XI vs RCB:

Quinton de Kock (wK), Sunil Narine, Venkatesh Iyer, Ajinkya Rahane (c), Rinku Singh, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Andre Russell, Ramandeep Singh, Spencer Johnson, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy.

KKR going with Raghuvanshi in their playing XI. Expect either Anukul Roy or Vaibhav Arora to come in as an impact sub later on.

Remember, this season, teams can have two new balls (second one introduced after the 10th over) depending on the umpire's discretion. It is a rule that has been brought in to negate the effect of the dew. With the likes of Spencer Johnson in KKR's XI, could this play into their advantage in the second innings?

Rajat Patidar has won the toss in his first game as RCB captain! Patidar chooses to bowl, so defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders will be batting first! Rahane also admits that he would've chosen to bowl had KKR won the toss.

Looks like we have an answer to Kolkata Knight Riders' overseas pacer dilemma. Spencer Johnson has been handed his first KKR cap by Sunil Narine, so he must have got the nod over Anrich Nortje for the first game.

And it's TOSS TIME!

We should be moments away from toss time. If you're just tuning in, a mega IPL 2025 opening ceremony took place, starring Shah Rukh Khan and Virat Kohli. Kohli was also felicitated on the eve of the first game, while blockbuster performances by the likes of Shreya Ghoshal and Disha Patani wow-ed the Eden Gardens crowd.

The toss has been delayed, as a result.

The bombastic opening ceremony has caused the toss to be delayed by around 10 minutes here. Will the match start exactly at 7:30 PM local time, or will the start also be delayed? The teams are out on the practice pitches as well. Kohli is getting some batting done.

As the Indian Premier League (IPL) turns 18 years old, a big cake is cut in celebration by the two captains, the performers and the dignitories on stage. Shah Rukh Khan is still the emcee, by the way! 

And now it's time for the Indian national anthem.

KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane and RCB captain Rajat Patidar enter the pitch. Rahane brings the IPL trophy and places it in the centre as well. We are past scheduled toss time, but could we see some special arrangement here?

And now RCB stalwart Virat Kohli is being felicitated. The only man to have played all 18 seasons for the same franchise, Kohli is undeniably an IPL legend. Shah Rukh announces the honour for the iconic No. 18. Huge roars from the Eden crowd.

Virat Kohli, Rinku Singh and Shah Rukh Khan perform some dance moves on stage. And now, SRK is inviting BCCI dignitories and the performers today on stage. We are already well past 6:55 PM local time. As a result, toss looks set to be delayed!

After Virat Kohli, Shah Rukh Khan has called KKR star Rinku Singh has been invited on stage! Rinku was retained by KKR for Rs 13 crore ahead of the mega auction, their highest retention. A conversation between players belonging to two generations, but lighting up cricket together!

And now to finalize the IPL 2025 opening ceremony, Shah Rukh Khan has called RCB superstar Virat Kohli on stage. Kohli is the only player to have played for one franchise only for all 18 years. SRK kickstarts some 'Kohli, Kohli' chants from the Eden crowd!

Amidst the hype of the opening ceremony, don't forget about the big game! KKR vs RCB toss time in 20 minutes! Two new captains - Ajinkya Rahane for KKR and Rajat Patidar for RCB - leading two new eras for the franchises. 

After Disha Patani's performance, rapper and singer Karan Aujla is now lighting up the Eden Gardens crowd and the IPL 2025 opening ceremony. Popular song 'Tauba Tauba' is one of the hits at the stadium today. 

After an amazing performance by Shreya Ghoshal, where she performed songs like 'Om Shanti Om', now popular Bollywood actor Disha Patani is now gracing the IPL 2025 opening ceremony. The Eden Gardens is on its feet.

With fresh new rosters for each team in IPL 2025 for both KKR and RCB, let's take a look at their probable starting lineups:

KKR Probable XI: Quinton de Kock (wk), Sunil Narine, Ajinkya Rahane (c), Venkatesh Iyer, Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Ramandeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Spencer Johnson, Varun Chakravarthy, Vaibhav Arora.

RCB Probable XI: Phil Salt, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (c), Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal.

Kolkata Knight Riders have won each of the last four games between these two teams, completing the season whitewash in both IPL 2023 and IPL 2024. The last time RCB beat KKR was in 2022, when games were still being played in Navi Mumbai due to Covid-19.

KKR vs RCB head-to-head record:

Matches played: 34

KKR won: 20

RCB won: 10

If KKR win today, they will equal CSK on the most number of wins against RCB in IPL history, with 21 each.

Renowned singer, arguably the most recognized female voice in contemporary Indian music, Shreya Ghoshal, kickstarts the IPL 2025 opening ceremony with some songs. The atmosphere at the Eden Gardens is electric, as the crowd melts to her tune.

The opening ceremony of IPL 2025 is underway! And getting us off with a bang, none other than Shah Rukh Khan, KKR's owner. He introduces the ceremony with a booming speech, and the crowd at Eden Gardens is going absolutely wild!

Kolkata Knight Riders lost a few of their key stars from the IPL 2024 title-winning campaign, with the biggest one being Shreyas Iyer, who was bought by Punjab Kings. Now, they have Ajinkya Rahane at the helm, with Rs 23.75 crore-man Venkatesh Iyer. A lot of expectations around him too, especially given the pricetag.

Undoubtedly the most popular man on the pitch today will be Virat Kohli. RCB's iconic No. 18 is entering his 18th IPL season? Will this finally be the lucky year for them? Kohli won the Orange Cap last year, and will look forward to a big performance to kickstart the season.

As emphasized earlier, the weather gods have so far been kind. No rain whatsoever in Kolkata as IPL 2025 gears up. Remember, not only do we have a lot of cricket action to look forward to, but also some huge stars are in show in the opening ceremony before that. Shah Rukh Khan, Disha Patani and Shreya Ghoshal are among the people confirmed!

Security authorities have announced an 'Orange Alert' in Kolkata ahead of the KKR-RCB match. But what is it?

An orange alert is issued by the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) when significant/heavy rainfall is anticipated, with the potential to disrupt power supply and transportation services. Hence, big rain predicted today during the match.

It is also the dawn of a new era for both franchises in action today! KKR let go of Shreyas Iyer despite winning the title, and will be led by Ajinkya Rahane this season. On the other hand, Rajat Patidar has taken over RCB's captaincy, amid huge support from Virat Kohli.

The weather in Kolkata, so far, has been exceptional. Still no hint of rain. In fact, not too long ago, there was a lot of sunshine over Eden Gardens. The stadium is also renowned for its exceptional drainage system, so even if rain does hit, fans can still be hopeful of a full game.

We saw a purple wave take the IPL by storm in 2024, as KKR completed one of the most dominant seasons in history, winning 12 games en route to the title. This time, we may have a different storm to worry about, with the weather forecast in Kolkata not proving to be too encouraging.

Hello and welcome to NDTV Sports! It is time for the festival to start all over again, it is time to set your alarms at 7:30 PM, it is time to enjoy the most blockbuster cricket event in the world. It is time for IPL 2025!

Welcome to the LIVE coverage of the IPL 2025 opening game, as defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru!