IPL 2025 - Match 1 - KKR vs RCB - Cricket Betting Tips and Match Predictions: 22nd March 2025

Cricket Predictions and Betting Tips for the Indian Premier League, Match 1 - Kolkata Knight Riders vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru, which will be played on the 22nd of March at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata.

LIVE SCORES - Match 1 - Kolkata Knight Riders vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Eden Gardens, Kolkata)

Current Form Kolkata Knight Riders:

Kolkata Knight Riders are the defending champions of the Indian Premier League. They beat Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Final Match by 8 wickets.

The top run scorer for Kolkata Knight Riders in the previous edition of Indian Premier League was Sunil Narine with 488 runs to his name.

The top wicket taker for Kolkata Knight Riders in the previous edition of Indian Premier League was Varun Chakravarthy with 21 scalps under his belt.

Kolkata Knight Riders are led by Ajinkya Rahane and he has replaced the skipper from previous edition, Shreyas Iyer. They have match winners like Varun Chakravarthy, Andre Russell and Rahmanullah Gurbaz in their squad. Kolkata Knight Riders are expected to go a long way in the Indian Premier League.

Players to look out for:

1. Rahmanullah Gurbaz - If he gets going, the chances of his team performing to its potential get higher.

2. Varun Chakravarthy - He performed superbly in the recently concluded ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Chakravarthy is expected to be amongst the wickets in Indian Premier League.

Current Form Royal Challengers Bengaluru:

Royal Challengers Bengaluru performed well in the previous edition of Indian Premier League. They managed to reach the Playoffs but lost to Rajasthan Royals in the Eliminator.

The top run scorer for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the previous edition of Indian Premier League was Virat Kohli with 741 runs to his name.

The top wicket taker for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the previous edition of Indian Premier League was Mohammed Siraj with 15 scalps under his belt.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru are led by Rajat Patidar in the Indian Premier League. With incredibly talented players like Virat Kohli, Tim David, Josh Hazlewood and Phil Salt, Royal Challengers Bengaluru are expected to do well in the competition.

Players to look out for:

1. Phil Salt - He is a flamboyant top order batter who can score at good pace and take the bowlers on right from the word go.

2. Josh Hazlewood - He is one of the best T20 bowlers in the world. Hazlewood is expected to be amongst the wickets in upcoming matches.

Let’s have a look at the squads:

Kolkata Knight Riders

Ajinkya Rahane (c), Rinku Singh, Quinton de Kock, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Venkatesh Iyer, Ramandeep Singh, Andre Russell, Anrich Nortje, Harshit Rana, Sunil Narine, Varun Chakaravarthy, Vaibhav Arora, Mayank Markande, Rovman Powell, Manish Pandey, Spencer Johnson, Luvnith Sisodia, Anukul Roy, Moeen Ali

Royal Challengers Bengaluru

Rajat Patidar (c), Virat Kohli, Yash Dayal, Josh Hazlewood, Phil Salt, Jitesh Sharma, Liam Livingstone, Rasikh Dar, Suyash Sharma, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Swapnil Singh, Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Nuwan Thushara, Manoj Bhandage, Jacob Bethel, Devdutt Padikkal, Swastik Chhikara, Lungi Ngidi, Abhinandan Singh, Mohit Rathee

Cricket Betting Tips and Match Predictions* - PrePlay

Who will win the toss? – Kolkata Knight Riders

Who will win?- Kolkata Knight Riders

Top Batter (Runs Scored) - Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Kolkata Knight Riders), Rajat Patidar (Royal Challengers Bengaluru)

Top Bowler (Wickets taken) - Varun Chakravarthy (Kolkata Knight Riders), Josh Hazlewood (Eihskbhh

Most Sixes – Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Kolkata Knight Riders), Rajat Patidar (Royal Challengers Bengaluru)

Player of the Match- Varun Chakravarthy (Kolkata Knight Riders)

Team Scores Batting first – Kolkata Knight Riders 165+, Kolkata Knight Riders 170

Match Handicap: Kolkata Knight Riders

*NB these predictions may be changed nearer the start of the match once the final starting teams have been announced and we will be running ‘In-Play’ features, so stay tuned.

© CricDirect 2025