Bengaluru rain knocks Kolkata out of IPL playoff race as match washed out

RCB vs KKR, IPL 2025: The Indian Premier League returns after a week-long suspension due to cross-border tensions. But it went off to a poor start with rain playing spoilsport. Match 58 was washed out with Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Kolkata Knight Riders sharing a point each at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. As a result, KKR have been knocked out. But it is not a bad news for RCB. Rajat Patidar & CO go top of the points table and they need just a win to secure a playoff berth.

This is also Virat Kohli’s first match since he announced his retirement from Test cricket. Thousands of fans will be wearing India’s Test jersey to pay tribute to India’s most successful Test captain.

RCB vs KKR Live Blog

RCB vs KKR Match Preview

The week-long break has helped RCB in many ways. Captain Rajat Patidar and opener Phil Salt have recovered from injuries. However, the break in momentum could cause serious damage. RCB were in great rhythm. Now that the momentum is not with them, RCB will have to restart their campaign. However, there are a few consistent performers like Virat Kohli and Krunal Pandya. While Josh Hazlewood is absent with an injury, the likes of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Yash Dayal would be key in the bowling department.

KKR, under Ajinkya Rahane, rely on Sunil Narine’s all-round brilliance and Andre Russell’s power-hitting to turn the tide. Their spin duo, Narine and Varun Chakravarthy, could exploit any turn on the pitch. The head-to-head record favours KKR, but RCB’s recent dominance (4 wins in the last 5 meetings) gives them an edge. The Chinnaswamy pitch promises high scores, though rain threats could alter strategies. However, KKR will be without Moeen Ali and Rovman Powell. In their absence, KKR will need to rely on domestic players.

M Chinnaswamy Stadium Pitch Report

The M Chinnaswamy Stadium pitch is a batting paradise, known for short boundaries and true bounce, favoring high-scoring games. Average first-innings scores in IPL 2024 were around 180-200. Spinners may find some grip in the middle overs, but pacers like Hazlewood could exploit early swing. Dew is expected, aiding teams chasing. Teams batting first will aim for 200+ to stay competitive.

Bengaluru Weather Report

The weather in Bengaluru on May 17, 2025, carries a rain threat, with a 40-50% chance of showers during the evening, as per recent posts. Temperatures will hover around 25-27°C with high humidity (70%). Overcast conditions may assist swing bowlers early, but rain could disrupt play or lead to a shortened match.

RCB vs KKR Head-to-Head Records

• Total Matches: 36
• KKR Wins: 21
• RCB Wins: 15
• At Chinnaswamy: KKR leads, with RCB winning only 4 out of 13 matches at the venue.
• Recent Trend: RCB won 4 of the last 5 encounters, including a 7-wicket victory in the IPL 2025 opener at Eden Gardens.

Predicted Playing 11

• Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, Mayank Agarwal, Rajat Patidar (c), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Lungi Ngidi, Yash Dayal
  • Impact Player: Suyash Sharma/ Rasikh Salam
• Kolkata Knight Riders: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Sunil Narine, Ajinkya Rahane (c), Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Venkatesh Iyer, Andre Russell, Rinku Singh, Ramandeep Singh, Anukul Roy, Vaibhav Arora, Harshit Rana
  • Impact Player: Varun Chakaravarthy/ Manish Pandey

Squads

• Kolkata Knight Riders Squad: Rahmanullah Gurbaz(w), Sunil Narine, Ajinkya Rahane(c), Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Manish Pandey, Andre Russell, Rinku Singh, Ramandeep Singh, Vaibhav Arora, Varun Chakaravarthy, Harshit Rana, Anrich Nortje, Mayank Markande, Anukul Roy, Luvnith Sisodia, Spencer Johnson, Moeen Ali, Quinton de Kock, Venkatesh Iyer, Rovman Powell, Chetan Sakariya
• Royal Challengers Bengaluru Squad: Jacob Bethell, Virat Kohli, Mayank Agarawal, Rajat Patidar(c), Jitesh Sharma(w), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Lungi Ngidi, Yash Dayal, Suyash Sharma, Rasikh Dar Salam, Manoj Bhandage, Liam Livingstone, Swapnil Singh, Philip Salt, Mohit Rathee, Swastik Chikara, Abhinandan Singh, Nuwan Thushara, Josh Hazlewood