Kolkata vs Bengaluru – Indian T20 League 2025 1st Match Prediction and Fantasy Cricket Tips
The Indian T20 League 2025 kicks off with an electrifying clash between Kolkata and Bengaluru at the iconic Eden Gardens, Kolkata. Both teams have made significant changes to their squads and are ready to set the stage on fire. Kolkata, known for its all-round strength, boasts a powerful batting lineup, impactful all-rounders, and a strong bowling attack. Bengaluru, on the other hand, is led by star players and a mix of experienced internationals and young talents.
With Virat Kohli, Andre Russell, Quinton de Kock, and Sunil Narine in action, this match is set to be a thrilling encounter. Fantasy cricket enthusiasts should focus on in-form players, all-rounders, and wicket-taking bowlers for their Vision11 teams.
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Kolkata vs Bengaluru IPL 2025 Match Details
Date: 22nd March, 2025
Day: Saturday
Venue: Eden Gardens, Kolkata
Time: 7:30 PM IST
Kolkata vs Bengaluru IPL 2025 Playing XI Prediction
Kolkata Playing XI Prediction
- Quinton de Kock (WK) – WK-Batter
- Ajinkya Rahane – Batter
- Rinku Singh – Batter
- Andre Russell – Bowling Allrounder
- Venkatesh Iyer – Batting Allrounder
- Sunil Narine – Bowling Allrounder
- Rovman Powell – Batter
- Moeen Ali – Batting Allrounder
- Varun Chakravarthy – Bowler
- Anrich Nortje – Bowler
- Umran Malik – Bowler
Bengaluru Playing XI Prediction
- Virat Kohli – Batter
- Devdutt Padikkal – Batter
- Rajat Patidar (C) – Batter
- Tim David – Batter
- Liam Livingstone – Batting Allrounder
- Philip Salt (WK) – WK-Batter
- Krunal Pandya – Batting Allrounder
- Romario Shepherd – Bowling Allrounder
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar – Bowler
- Josh Hazlewood – Bowler
- Lungi Ngidi – Bowler
Kolkata vs Bengaluru Match-1 IPL 2025 Vision11 Prediction
Kolkata Performance Prediction
Kolkata enters the tournament with a balanced squad that includes experienced players and dynamic all-rounders. Quinton de Kock and Rahmanullah Gurbaz offer a solid wicket keeping option, while the presence of Ajinkya Rahane, Rinku Singh, and Rovman Powell adds depth to the batting lineup. The all-round duo of Sunil Narine and Andre Russell remains Kolkata’s biggest strength.
The bowling attack is spearheaded by Anrich Nortje, Varun Chakravarthy, and Umran Malik, providing both pace and spin options. Playing at Eden Gardens, Kolkata will look to maximize their home advantage with a well-rounded performance.
Bengaluru Performance Prediction
Bengaluru is looking to make a strong start under the leadership of Rajat Patidar. The team’s batting lineup is packed with power hitters like Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, and Tim David. Philip Salt and Jitesh Sharma provide wicketkeeping options, while all-rounders like Liam Livingstone and Krunal Pandya strengthen the squad.
The pace attack features Josh Hazlewood, Lungi Ngidi, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, while the spin department relies on Swapnil Singh and Mohit Rathee. Bengaluru will look to dominate with an aggressive batting approach and disciplined bowling.
Fantasy Cricket Tips for Kolkata vs Bengaluru IPL 2025
Top Batters to Pick
- Virat Kohli – The most consistent performer in T20 leagues.
- Quinton de Kock – An explosive wicketkeeper-batter.
- Rinku Singh – Known for his finishing abilities in tight games.
Top All-Rounders
- Andre Russell – A game-changer with both bat and ball.
- Liam Livingstone – Capable of turning the game in any phase.
- Sunil Narine – A key performer with spin and big hitting.
Top Bowlers to Pick
- Josh Hazlewood – A proven wicket-taker in powerplay and death overs.
- Varun Chakravarthy – A mystery spinner who thrives at Eden Gardens.
- Anrich Nortje – A fast bowler capable of rattling the opposition.
Captain & Vice-Captain Picks
- Andre Russell – Best choice due to his match-winning abilities.
- Virat Kohli – A reliable option for fantasy teams.
- Liam Livingstone – Can contribute significantly with bat and ball.
Eden Gardens Pitch Report
The Eden Gardens pitch is known for its batting-friendly surface, but it also assists spinners as the game progresses. The shorter boundaries make it a high-scoring venue, and batters who settle in can post big totals. Fast bowlers get some assistance with swing in the initial overs, but as the game progresses, spinners like Varun Chakravarthy and Sunil Narine will come into play. The team winning the toss might prefer to chase, considering the dew factor in night games.
Kolkata vs Bengaluru Match Prediction: Who Will Win?
The Eden Gardens pitch is traditionally batting-friendly, offering good bounce and pace for stroke players. However, as the match progresses, spinners get significant assistance, making bowlers like Varun Chakravarthy and Sunil Narine crucial for Kolkata. Fast bowlers can extract movement under lights, especially in the powerplay. The short boundaries make it easier for batters to accelerate, resulting in high-scoring games. Teams winning the toss often prefer chasing, as dew in the second innings can make bowling difficult. Expect a competitive battle between bat and ball in this exciting season opener.
Conclusion
The first match of the Indian T20 League 2025 between Kolkata and Bengaluru promises to be a high-intensity clash. Both teams boast a strong batting lineup and impactful all-rounders, making it a thrilling contest. Kolkata holds a slight advantage with their spin attack and home conditions, but Bengaluru’s explosive top order can turn the game in their favor. Fantasy cricket players should focus on selecting power hitters, wicket-taking bowlers, and all-rounders. Get ready for an electrifying start to the season and build your winning fantasy team on Vision11!
FAQ’s ?
The match will be played on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at 7:30 PM IST at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
- Batters: Virat Kohli, Rinku Singh, Quinton de Kock
- All-Rounders: Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Liam Livingstone
- Bowlers: Josh Hazlewood, Anrich Nortje, Varun Chakravarthy
The pitch is batting-friendly but assists spinners in the second innings. Fast bowlers might get early swing, but high scores are common due to short boundaries.
Kolkata has a slight edge due to their balanced squad and spin-friendly conditions at Eden Gardens, but Bengaluru's batting firepower makes them a tough opponent.