The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 is set to begin with an electrifying clash between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the historic Eden Gardens, Kolkata on March 22 at 7:30 PM IST.
Before the match kicks off, let’s take a look at fantasy cricket tips and predictions, the pitch report, and the best-predicted playing XIs for fantasy contests.
KKR vs RCB Dream11 Team: Top Picks
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
✅ Sunil Narine – The West Indian all-rounder was KKR’s biggest asset in IPL 2024, contributing with both bat and ball. If he continues his form, he will be a key pick.
✅ Quinton de Kock – The South African wicketkeeper-batter makes his KKR debut. His stability and consistency make him a crucial fantasy choice.
✅ Varun Chakravarthy – The mystery spinner enters IPL 2025 in great form after a stellar Champions Trophy campaign. He is expected to play a key role.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
✅ Virat Kohli – The RCB icon was in decent touch during the Champions Trophy 2025 and remains a top fantasy pick.
✅ Rajat Patidar – The newly appointed RCB captain will be a key batter, making him a strong selection.
✅ Bhuvneshwar Kumar – The experienced pacer is playing his first season for RCB. If early swing is available, he could be a dangerous bowler.
KKR vs RCB Pitch & Weather Report
| Factor | Expected Conditions |
|---|---|
| Weather | Cloudy |
| Pitch | Batting-Friendly |
Weather Report: Rain is expected in Kolkata on the morning of March 22, but it should remain dry during the match. According to AccuWeather, the temperature will be around 22°C with a 25% chance of rain.
Pitch Report: Eden Gardens has historically been a balanced venue, but recent trends favor batters. Spinners may find some assistance as the match progresses.
Eden Gardens, Kolkata – Chasing vs. Defending Record
📊 In IPL 2024, 7 matches were played at Eden Gardens:
- Teams chasing won 4 times
- Teams batting first won 3 times
With a fairly balanced record in recent years, the toss may not be a decisive factor, but captains might prefer to bowl first.
KKR vs RCB Fantasy Cricket Captain & Vice-Captain Choices
| Contest Type | Captain | Vice-Captain |
|---|---|---|
| Small League | Sunil Narine | Phil Salt |
| Head-to-Head | Virat Kohli | Venkatesh Iyer |
| Grand League | Phil Salt | Liam Livingstone |
KKR vs RCB Fantasy Team for Small Leagues
🟢 Wicketkeepers: Quinton de Kock, Phil Salt
🔵 Batters: Virat Kohli, Venkatesh Iyer, Rajat Patidar
🟡 All-rounders: Sunil Narine (C), Andre Russell, Krunal Pandya
🔴 Bowlers: Josh Hazlewood, Varun Chakravarthy, Harshit Rana
Captain: Sunil Narine
Vice-Captain: Phil Salt
KKR vs RCB Fantasy Team for Grand Leagues
🟢 Wicketkeepers: Quinton de Kock, Phil Salt
🔵 Batters: Virat Kohli, Venkatesh Iyer, Devdutt Padikkal
🟡 All-rounders: Sunil Narine, Liam Livingstone, Krunal Pandya
🔴 Bowlers: Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Anrich Nortje, Varun Chakravarthy
Captain: Phil Salt
Vice-Captain: Liam Livingstone
Expert Fantasy Cricket Tips
✅ The Eden Gardens pitch is batting-friendly, so selecting strong batters and all-rounders is advisable.
✅ Spinners could be key performers, making players like Varun Chakravarthy and Sunil Narine good fantasy picks.
✅ Choosing a mix of experienced IPL players and form-based selections can give an edge in Dream11 contests.
🔥 Get ready for an action-packed opening match of IPL 2025 as KKR and RCB battle for early dominance! 🏏💥
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