IPL 2025: KKR vs RCB, Match 1 at Eden Gardens – Could a rain washout benefit RCB?

Weather threat and possible impact

The excitement of T20 cricket has finally arrived, with the 18th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2025) all set to begin on Saturday, March 22. The tournament opener will see Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) hosting Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the iconic Eden Gardens Stadium in Kolkata. However, an orange alert for thunderstorms and lightning has been issued by the weather department in West Bengal.

Consequently, rain playing spoilsport and potentially affecting the first match of IPL 2025 is a possibility. While this news might seem detrimental to both teams, it could turn out to be a blessing in disguise for RCB. For the Bangalore-based franchise, factors such as team composition, strategic and tactical decisions, and ground statistics could play a major role.

KKR's pace attack

The hosts, Kolkata, have a fiery pace bowling attack that will heavily rely on rising star pacers Harshit Rana and Spencer Johnson. While one has shown promise with the Indian team, the other has been steadily rising through the ranks in Australia’s formidable bowling unit. Hence, both youngsters are likely to play a significant role for Kolkata Knight Riders in the opening game as well as throughout IPL 2025.

Harshit Rana tends to extract sharp bounce off the pitch, making it challenging for batters to deal with his deliveries. Additionally, Rana has also proven to be quite effective in the death overs. As a result, his aggressive bowling style could help KKR restrict RCB's dangerous batting lineup in the tournament opener.

Spencer Johnson, the Australian left-arm speedster, can surprise opponents with his raw pace. Moreover, he has the ability to swing the ball both ways, making him a lethal asset with the new ball. KKR will likely use him during the power play to keep RCB batters under pressure.

If that weren’t enough for Bengaluru's batters to deal with, Kolkata also has an effective backup option in the form of Chetan Sakariya. Notably, Sakariya is making his comeback to the franchise after being named as a replacement for Umran Malik, who was recently ruled out of the tournament due to injury. While he may not be as quick as Johnson, Sakariya possesses subtle variations and impeccable slower deliveries to outfox batters. If he makes it to the playing XI, he could be a game-changer in the middle overs.

RCB's pace attack

On the other side, Royal Challengers Bengaluru's pace battery is strengthened by the presence of experienced campaigners in the bowling department. Under the lights at Eden, swing bowling could become a significant threat for KKR.

Josh Hazlewood has an impeccable ability to trouble batters with his seam movement and extra bounce. Additionally, he is known for his needle-like precision with line and length, further frustrating batters and pushing them to take risks.

Veteran Indian pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar is another force to reckon with. His proficiency in swinging the ball under lights can rattle any team on his day, adding further depth to RCB's bowling lineup. In the opening game, pitch conditions assisting pacers will be a crucial factor for both sides to consider.

Eden Gardens: Pitch and Conditions

The ever-charming Eden Gardens is known for its batting-friendly wicket. The average first-innings score at this iconic venue is 169 in T20 cricket. The highest total recorded here is 262, indicating the pitch generally favours batters. However, teams have also been bowled out cheaply, adding an element of unpredictability.

Notably, Royal Challengers Bengaluru holds the record for the lowest total at Eden, having been dismissed for a paltry 49 runs in a previous IPL match.

Eden Gardens - KKR vs RCB Average Scores

Should RCB bat or bowl first amid rain threat?

The issuance of an orange alert implies that rain threatens the IPL 2025 opener, making the possibility of a DLS (Duckworth-Lewis-Stern) method intervention highly likely. In rain-curtailed matches, teams chasing the target often hold an advantage. This is because the revised target, as per the DLS method, can be unpredictable and may favour the team batting second.

Why should RCB bowl first against KKR?

1. Dew factor

As the match will be held in the evening at Eden Gardens, there is a strong chance that dew will play a role. This will make it difficult for bowlers to grip the ball properly in the second innings. Additionally, rain delays could lead to a reduction in overs, making chasing a preferable strategy. Bowling first would allow RCB to assess conditions and plan a calculated run chase.

2. Unpredictability of DLS targets

In case of rain interruption, the DLS method will come into play, and the revised target could favour the chasing team. Knowing the exact number of runs required can help the second-batting side approach their innings with greater clarity.

3. Impact of overcast conditions

As evident from the above explanations, Bengaluru boasts a strong bowling unit with the likes of Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar, who can exploit swing-friendly conditions, especially under overcast skies in the early phases of the match.

All these factors suggest that RCB should opt to bowl first if they win the toss, considering both the playing conditions and possible rain-induced disruptions.

Conclusion

The opening match of IPL 2025 between KKR and RCB promises to be an exciting clash, with both teams hoping to kickstart their campaign on a winning note. The nature of the Eden Gardens pitch, the looming threat of rain, and the significant role of pace bowlers could all influence the outcome of the match.

While Kolkata will aim to capitalize on home conditions, RCB will be eager to overcome their past struggles at one of India’s most historic venues.

In the event of a complete washout, RCB may be content with sharing points, negating KKR's home advantage. However, if cloudy conditions prevail and KKR bats first, it could be a strategic advantage for RCB. They could make the most of the weather conditions, the DLS factor, and their bowling strength to gain an upper hand, even while playing away from home.