‘We don’t want to think too much about this game’ – Ajinkya Rahane laments after seven-wicket loss to RCB in IPL 2025 opener

Rajat Patidar-led Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) began the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season with an easy win. RCB beat defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) by seven wickets with 22 balls to spare. Patidar had won the toss and chose to bowl first and restricted KKR to 174 runs from their 20 overs. 

Ajinkya Rahane was the best batter for KKR with 56 runs, while Sunil Narine scored 44 runs. Krunal Pandya, with 3/29 from his four overs, was the best bowler for the visiting side. Josh Hazlewood picked 2/22 from four overs, which included the scalps of Quinton De Kock and Harshit Rana. 

In reply, Phil Salt and Virat Kohli added 95 runs for the first wicket in just 8.3 overs. Just like Rahane, the English batter scored 56 runs from just 31 balls. The best batter of the night was former RCB skipper Virat Kohli, who was not out on 59 off 36 balls with four boundaries and three sixes. 

Skipper Rajat Patidar came to the wicket and scored a brisk 34 off just 16 balls. He hit five boundaries and a six before falling to Vaibhav Arora. Liam Livingstone then hit 15 not out from five balls to help KKR achieve an easy win. This was the second fastest run-chase for RCB in the IPL while chasing a target above 175 or greater. 

Ajinkya Rahane gives his views after huge loss to RCB 

KKR skipper Ajinkya Rahane, while speaking to the host broadcaster after the loss to RCB, said that he didn’t want to dwell on the loss. When asked if his team was short of a target above 200 in the first innings, Rahane said, “I thought we were going well till the 13th over but 2-3 wickets changed the momentum. Batters that followed tried their best but didn't workout.”

The 36-year-old also said, “When myself and Venky were batting, we were discussing that 200-210 was achievable but those wickets changed the momentum. Little bit of dew was there but they had a very good powerplay with the bat.”

Rahane went on to say, “The total was under par. We were looking for 200+. We don't want to think too much about this game but at the same time, just try and get better in certain areas.”

Winning skipper Rajat Patidar praised young Suyash Sharma, who was carted for 47 runs from his four overs. The young spinner got the key wicket of Andre Russell before being substituted. Sharma had dropped the catch of Quinton De Kock early in the game. Patidar praised Krunal Pandya for his three wickets, which turned the course of the match. 

The RCB skipper said, “There was pressure, but it was a good day for me. If we keep winning like this, it will be a good day. It was pretty clear for me—I don't mind Suyash giving runs, he was our main wicket-taking bowler, so I backed him. All credit goes to both the bowlers; from 13 overs, they showed courage and determination. The mindset of taking wickets was really amazing.”