The Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bangalore will play the first match of the 2025 Indian Premier League. We have expert betting advice for you ahead of this crucial tournament opener. We have highlighted the best odds and tips for KKR vs RCB.
Make use of our top betting tips and predictions for this IPL fixture. We look at recent team and player form, probable XIs, head-to-head records, and other useful information to inform your betting choices. Explore more of our best bets for this match.
Yash Dayal was Bangalore’s joint-leading wicket-taker in the 2024 IPL. Mohammad Siraj has since left RCB for the Gujarat Titans, leaving Dayal with the opportunity to lead the attack. Conditions at Eden Gardens should suit him. Dayal is priced at $3.75 with bet365 to be RCB’s top bowler in the match.
Back the leading run-scorer in the long history of the tournament to be the top run-scorer in this match as well. Kohli has 8,000-plus IPL runs. He is the man for the big occasion. This is certainly a big occasion – opening match of the tournament against the defending champions. Kohli is priced at $2.87 to be RCB’s top batter in the match.
KKR will likely open the batting with Narine – and have him bowl during the opening powerplay. Both junctures are big opportunities for him to score early runs and take early wickets. Narine has collected multiple player of the match awards in the IPL. He is priced at $9.00 for this award in this match.
We are here to help you find the best odds for your IPL match betting. It is always good to compare what odds the best IPL betting sites have to offer. Here are some of the most attractive match odds with some of our best bookies.
The Knight Riders are favourites to win this match. The reigning IPL champions are priced higher with bet365 and Palmerbet compared to Unibet. If you think RCB will beat KKR, Unibet have a higher price.
Kolkata won the 2024 IPL and now have three titles. They gelled superbly well last season and are well-positioned to continue the momentum. But they have a new captain in Ajinkya Rahane, who will be under pressure to score significant runs and lead well.
KKR’s retention of Andre Russell and Sunil Narine is important. The West Indian pair offer a lot with bat and ball. As two of the best all-rounders in the tournament, they are key to the balance of the Knight Riders’ XI.
Local talent-wise, Varun Chakaravarthy and Rinku Singh will want to put in big performances. Chakaravarthy put in some strong showings for India during the recent Champions Trophy, while Singh has developed a reputation as a big-hitter in the IPL.
After all these years, Bangalore remain in pursuit of a maiden IPL title. They have come close on several occasions – and this might be their year to go all the way. As always, a lot is going to depend on Virat Kohli’s ability to deliver big runs on cue.
The Royal Challengers also have a new captain in Rajat Patidar. He, like Rahane, will be pressured to perform well – and not have the additional responsibility of the captaincy detract from his primary role with the bat.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar is among the top five leading wicket-takers in the history of the Indian Premier League. This season, he’s lining up for RCB. A new team effectively means a fresh start for the reinspired seamer. Look forward to a telling performance from him.
Anrich Nortje has been sidelined by injury recently, but the South African fast bowler expected to be match-fit and line up for KKR in this fixture.
Jacob Bethell, too, missed the Champions Trophy due to injury. But the England all-rounder has since recovered and should be in the RCB XI.
Kolkata Knight Riders: Sunil Narine, Quinton de Kock (wicketkeeper), Ajinkya Rahane (captain), Manish Pandey, Venkatesh Iyer, Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Anrich Nortje, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy, Chetan Sakariya.
Royal Challengers Bangalore: Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, Rajat Patidar (captain), Jacob Bethell, Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma (wicketkeeper), Krunal Pandya, Rasikh Dar, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal.
Here are some key statistics to consider ahead of this IPL contest. Here at AussieBet we like to offer useful stats that can help guide your betting choices.
Here are some of the best betting sites for betting on KKR vs RCB in the IPL. We think bet365 is an excellent option for cricket betting as the range of markets and competitive odds set them apart. The bet365 betting app and live streaming service is also excellent. That said, any in this top five list are worth consideration.
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