Virat Kohli, Phil Salt To Open, Bhuvneshwar Kumar Returns: Predicted RCB Playing XI Against KKR In IPL 2025 Opener

The coveted Indian Premier League title has eluded Royal Challengers Bengaluru since its inception. Virat Kohli's side is all set to take on defending champions KKR in the IPL 2025 opener at the Eden Gardens on March 22.

RCB Have Accumulated A Competitive Squad

Following the departure of Faf du Plessis, Rajat Patidar has been named as the RCB captain for IPL 2025. The hierarchy managed to amass a very competitive squad comprising of a very English core. Phil Salt, Liam Livingstone and young sensation Jacob Bethell will be central to RCB's plans while the likes of Jitesh Sharma and Krunal Pandya can stick around for a while to bail out the team whenever needed.

In the bowling department, the trio of Josh Hazlewood, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Yash Dayal have been given the charge. Hazlewood missed the Champions Trophy 2025 due to an injury and the 34-year-old is reportedly set to return to the RCB setup ahead of the IPL 2025 campaign. Bhuvneshwar Kumar was grabbed by RCB for a whopping 10.75 crore and the Indian fast bowler could prove to be a prized possession at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru which tends to help the pacers.

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Former KKR pacer Suyash Sharma might have to shoulder additional responsibility as, except for Krunal and Swapnil Singh, there is a lack of quality spinners in the squad. 

RCB Predicted XI Against KKR

Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, Rajat Patidar (captain), Krunal Pandya, Jitesh Sharma (wicket-keeper), Liam Livingston, Tim David, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal, Josh Hazlewood, Suyash Sharma.

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RCB Squad for IPL 2025

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.