Salt's Explosive Knock Chasing KKR’s 174/8, Salt opened alongside Virat Kohli and was off to the races immediately.He opened his innings with a boundary off Vaibhav Arora's bowl which began a spree of incredible powerful strokes complemented by superb shot selection. 

The more potent bowlers, namely the spinners, were no match for Salt. Varun Chakaravarthy, slackened under the pressure from Salt, conceding multiple boundaries followed by a monstrous six. KKR's Salt leashed fearfully blasted straight through their spin options, and RCB finished over the powerplay at 80/0.

To conclude the powerplay, Salt stood at 49 runs with an astonishingly low 23 balls. He finished his innings with a flurry of runs, securing a 50 within roughly a blink of the eye. He quickly reached his fifty, marking one of the most dominant season openers in IPL history. 

Phil Salt slams half-century in 25 balls. Royal Challengers Bengaluru 86/0 in 6.5 overs vs Kolkata Knight Riders (174/8) in IPL 2025 opener#KKRvsRCB #IPL2025 #IPL #RCBvsKKR #KKRvRCB

LIVE Scorecard: https://t.co/yOUIKX9I5e

LIVE Updates: https://t.co/ws1DBsbPTl pic.twitter.com/U4rfHSmggy

— CricketNDTV (@CricketNDTV) March 22, 2025

Also Read: Krunal Pandya Taunts with Outstanding Spell Against Kolkata Knight Riders

Salt helped his previous team, KKR win the IPL 2024 title but after KKR's successful campaign he moved to RCB, for ₹11.5 crore. As Salt returned to his former home, the Eden Gardens, he appeared to be a man that would spare anyone, quickly transforming myriads of his knowledge of the context into horrific damage.

A Statement from RCB Salt's performance showed RCB's ambition for their first IPL title. His explosive performance justified RCB's massive outlay, showing he could be the X-factor every successful team needs to contend. If this was merely the start, RCB fans have more than reason to hope that 2025 was going to finally be the year for them.

IPL 2025 Live Streaming: How to Watch in Different Countries

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 is returning with exciting cricket action, which is all set to begin on March 22, 2025. This season holds promise of exciting matches, fierce rivalries, and memorable performances by the best cricketers in the world. Fans globally are eagerly waiting to watch and support their favorite teams. From television watching to streaming online, here is a complete guide to IPL 2025 live in your nation. KKR VS RCB

Match Details:

• Fixture: Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) vs. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
• Date: March 22, 2025
• Venue: Eden Gardens, Kolkata
• Match Start Time: 7:30 PM IST
• Opening Ceremony: 6:00 PM IST

Live Streaming and TV Broadcast of KKR VS RCB

ALSO READ:KKR vs RCB Today Match Prediction – Who Will Win? | Match 1, IPL 2025 Preview & Analysis

Kolkata Knight Riders vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru Predicted Playing XI

Kolkata Knight Riders Playing XII

Quinton De Kock, Sunil Narine, Ajinkya Rahane, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Venkatesh Iyer, Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Harshith Rana, Vaibhav Arora, Spencer Johnson, Mayank Markande, Ramandeep Singh

Royal Challengers Bengaluru Playing XI

Phil Salt, Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Jacob Bethell/ Tim David, Liam Livingstone, Krunal Pandya, Jitesh Sharma, Yash Dayal, Swapnil Singh, Josh Hazlewood, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Rasikh Salam 

England Cricket Board (ECB) revealed the squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 which will be held in Pakistan. The team, is guided by Jos Buttler and it has a mix and the youth.
Injury Update: Tom Banton to replace injured Jacob Bethell
As a squad was about to be announced, Tom Banton was brought back to start in place of Jacob Bethell who suffered an injury. Banton offers excellent power at the top of the order with charismatic strokeplay and allrounder

FULL SQUAD:

• Jos Buttler (C) – Wicketkeeper & Captain
• Jofra Archer – Fast Bowler
• Gus Atkinson – Fast Bowler
• Tom Banton – Top-order Batsman (Replacement for Bethell)
• Harry Brook – Middle-order Batsman
• Brydon Carse – Fast Bowler
• Ben Duckett – Batsman
• Jamie Overton – All-rounder
• Josh Smith – All-rounder
• Liam Livingstone – All-rounder
• Adil Rashid – Leg-spinner
• Joe Root – Middle-order Batsman
• Saqib Mahmood – Fast Bowler
• Phil Salt – Wicketkeeper-Batsman
• Mark Wood – Fast Bowler

England Squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Jos Buttler (C), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Tom Banton, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Josh Smith, Liam Livingstone, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Saqib Mahmood, Phil Salt, Mark Wood.

England's squad for the #ChampionsTrophy locked in after roping in Tom Banton for the injured Jacob Bethell 👊

Read more ➡️ https://t.co/LDTwb9Upiy pic.twitter.com/zxTKURvMWQ

— ICC (@ICC) February 12, 2025

Squad Analysis
For England, the middle has been left with a balanced mix of hitters, spinners, and pace as well. Experienced players like Buttler, Root, Rashid, and Wood bring a level of stability, and also youngsters like Harry Brook and Josh Smith which are filled with promise. With fast bowlers in form like Jofra Archer, Mark Wood Saqib Mahmood the ball looks dangerous and they do get bounced too. What Adil Rashid will bring on the spin is going to be important, especially looking at a subcontinent wicket.

ALSO READ:Australia's Squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Full List and Key Insights

Chances of England in the Champions Trophy 2025
England is one of the standout sides in the tournament having recently won three Outram Shield Winners Maceknob end to end. They are a relatively untested team, having never won the Champions Trophy and only once reached the final in 2013.

While the Indian bowlers completely dominated in the Kolkata T20I over the English batters, it is a new tense sign for the IPL team Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) fans as three of their English batters completely failed in the first innings of the match.

Although the English captain Jos Buttler provided a good start, the other English batters had no answer for the Indian bowlers. English cricketers Phil Salt, Liam Livingstone, and Jacob Bethell are RCBians, and all of them had hard luck on Wednesday night.

Phil Salt scored a duck

Opener Salt couldn’t open the scoreline as Arshdeep Singh delivered a short ball and an extra bounce resulted in Salt’s dismissal after the wicketkeeper Sanju Samson comfortably took the catch. It was just the third ball of the match while England were 0/1. 

Also Watch: Varun Chakravarthy's double put India in strong position

Liam Livingstone also scored a duck; Jacob Bethell struggled

Liam Livingstone scored a two-ball duck as the in-form spinner Varun Chakravarthy bowled him. The new RCBian Jacob Bethell failed to help the visitors from the tough situation and his clueless batting disturbed the English skipper’s fighting flow. It was Hardik Pandya who dismissed Bethell for seven off 14 balls. 

England were all out for 132 runs in 20 overs

Indian bowlers dominated in England innings as England were all out for 132 runs in 20 overs. While the skipper Buttler scored fighting 68 off 44 balls with the help of eight fours and two sixes, Harry Brook (17) and Jofra Archer (12) were the only other English batters with double-digit scores in that innings. 

Among the Indian bowlers, Varun Chakravarthy got three wickets (3/23), while Arshdeep Singh (2/17), Axar Patel (2/22), and Hardik Pandya (2/42) bagged two wickets each.  

Later, Abhishek Sharma's dominant batting, as he scored 79 off 34 balls, guided India to reach the target in 12.5 overs after losing three wickets. 

RCB Head Coach Andy Flower Reveals Bold Strategy for IPL 2025

Andy Flower, the head coach for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), has shared the team's plans for the IPL 2025 season, and it's causing a lot of excitement. There will be wonderfully new changes to how they approach batting and bowling. Everyone's speaking a lot about the new starting players and the new players joining the team.

Kohli and Salt: A Dynamic Opening Pair

Flower said they're extremely happy with the team they have today, and that it was vitally important to have a powerful batter, like Phil Salt, open the innings with Virat Kohli from RCB. We removed most of the players we wanted, honestly. Having that very strong beginning with Salt partnering up with Virat is of significant consequence for us, Flower explained.

This pairing is expected to combine Kohli’s unmatched consistency and Salt’s aggressive intent, creating a formidable opening duo capable of setting the tone for matches. The move underscores RCB’s commitment to maximizing powerplay runs and providing a solid foundation for the middle order.

ALSO READ: After Chahal, another Indian cricketer heading for a divorce

Andy Flower said "Virat Kohli & Phil Salt will be at the Top for RCB in IPL 2025". [Sports Tak] pic.twitter.com/gbM3RbDOmL

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) January 10, 2025

Strengthened Middle Order

Flower is excited about having Liam Livingstone, Rajat Patidar, and Jitesh Sharma on the team. He said that having Livingstone is exceptionally wonderful because even though he's great now, his best might still be to come. RCB's batting seems stronger than ever with these men, especially in the middle. Livingstone, along with Patidar and Sharma, are counted on to keep things steady and increase the aggression in the closing parts of their games.

Reinforced Bowling Attack

At the club, having Hazlewood return is very wonderful. The observer noted that it is nice we have killer Bhuvi today. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, a seasoned Indian bowler, and Krunal Pandya are joining the team, which is very important. She noted that their skills would be very helpful, especially with Krunal's talents teaming up nicely with Bhuvi's. Together, they're going to make a major difference for RCB.

The bowling lineup now includes proven performers like Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal, and Rasik Salaam. Flower praised Yash Dayal’s performance last season and emphasized the importance of such depth and variety, particularly at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, known for its batting-friendly conditions.

Moving on from Faf du Plessis

RCB faced a strikingly large choice this season when they decided not to keep Faf du Plessis as their captain. Flower said a lot about du Plessis, stating, there were multiple discussions about Faf du Plessis. Mr. Plessis is in great form as well. And he's a wonderful captain, incredible person. Mr. Plessis has been a wonderful leader for RCB.

However, RCB’s focus on securing an opening batter who could also keep wickets resulted in Salt’s selection, making it unfeasible to retain Faf. "Unfortunately, Faf, it didn’t fit for him to come back on this occasion," Flower explained.

Building for Success

This season, RCB made a strikingly large decision not to have Faf Du Plessis as their captain anymore. Flower really talked a lot about Du Plessis, mentioning they had a large amount of discussions about him. He also said Mr. Du Plessis is doing very well in games and is a very good person and captain. Truly, Mr. Du Plessis has been an amazing leader for RCB.

However, RCB’s focus on securing an opening batter who could also keep wickets resulted in Salt’s selection, making it unfeasible to retain Faf. "Unfortunately, Faf, it didn’t fit for him to come back on this occasion," Flower explained.

Virat Kohli Career Stats

Phil Salt Career Stats

Kolkata Knight Riders had a memorable previous edition, earning their third-ever IPL title after a massive gap of ten years. With an optimum mix of reliable players and a robust coaching staff, the team bet all the odds and claimed success. But, their retained list had several polar opinions from critics and fanatics, as they haven't retained the captain who led to their triumph.

With their retention list comprising of emerging and experienced campaigners, they haven't opted for having the Right-to-Match (RTM) option as they have filled all the spots so that it will be some new players venturing into the defending champions' side. That said, here are the potential five-player picks that the Knight Riders would go all out for in the forthcoming 2025 IPL Mega Auction. 

Faf du Plessis

Faf du Plessis could be one of the primary targets for the Men in Purple management, as he ticks the boxes of an experienced power batter and a reliable captain. Considering that the side only has INR 51 Crore left in their purse, they can give their all to buy him, as they can rely on his captaincy expertise.

With just three editions for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, he has taken them twice to the final stages of the playoffs; the side can rest assured in giving him the captaincy position for the upcoming editions. In the last edition, he has made 438 runs in 15 matches at a decent average of over 30.

Ishan Kishan

The Kolkata Knight Riders will not change their powerful hitting lineup for IPL 2025. They can, however, target young Indian wicketkeeper batter Ishan Kishan, who has been freed by the Mumbai Indians, keeping in mind that the team also requires a reliable wicketkeeper. Kishan is known for his aggressive batting and power-hitting ability.

Kishan could be an excellent addition to KKR's star-studded batting lineup, which includes Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, and Rinku Singh. Kishan has recently been uneven with the bat, but recent matches in the local arena have helped to boost the confidence of all franchises in the Mega Auction. In 2024, he made 320 runs in 14 games, averaging at 23. 

Mohammed Shami

The Kolkata Knight Riders will now want to add an experienced fast bowler to their team for the IPL 2025. In the IPL 2025 mega auction, they might want to sign experienced Indian bowler Mohammed Shami. The right-arm bowler is now recovering from a knee injury sustained during his outstanding 2023 Cricket World Cup performance, in which he took an incredible number of wickets in just a few games.

Surprisingly, he has been released by the Gujarat Titans. The KKR management is expected to spend a large sum on him at the mega auction in Jeddah since he has played an essential role in whichever squad he has been a member of in his cricketing environment. Also, with several other franchises putting all their efforts into his acquisition, he could probably be one of the most expensive players in the upcoming mega auction.

Also Read: IPL 2025: 5 players Royal Challengers Bengaluru should target for in the upcoming IPL Mega Auction

Phil Salt

Phil Salt excelled in the top order for KKR in the IPL 2024. His aggressive hitting style might help the squad get off to a fast start. In this case, KKR wants to return him to the team for another season. Phil Salt was pivotal to KKR's successful season last year, scoring 435 runs at an average of 39.54 and a strike rate of 182 in 12 innings, including four fifties.

Despite his excellent performance, KKR dismissed him due to a surplus of players. On the other hand, Salt is an aggressive top-order batsman who maintains wickets and has league experience. Given his achievements, the three-time champions would go all and out for bringing him back to the side, even with the unavailability of an RTM card. 

Rahul Tripathi

Rahul Tripathi symbolises a solid IPL-batter package, thanks to his aggressive approach in obtaining crucial runs. He has consistently performed for any team he has ever represented, frequently stepping up when the squad needed him the most.

His ability to anchor innings and accelerate when needed makes him essential. Tripathi's IPL experience and ability to score crucial runs make him a solid pick for any club. His retention would offer the squad stability and a player around whom to build tactics. In his 2024 stay, he scored 165 runs in just six matches, with a remarkable strike rate above 140. 

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) clinched their third Indian Premier League (IPL) title spectacularly, defeating Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) by eight wickets at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Among the many celebrations, one stood out a video call to England and KKR opener Phil Salt, who played a pivotal role in the team’s success before leaving for international duty.

Phil Salt’s Role in KKR’s Success

Salt’s performance was nothing short of sensational. His highest score of 89* came at a crucial juncture, showcasing his ability to handle pressure. His four half-centuries were all scored at Eden Gardens, where he enjoyed a prolific run, scoring 358 runs in seven matches at an average of 58.33 and a strike rate of 185.19.

See Also: T20 World Cup 2024: Australia’s key players set to miss warm-up matches

KKR’s Journey to the Title

KKR’s journey to their third IPL title was marked by resilience and strategic brilliance. Under Shreyas Iyer’s captaincy, the team showed remarkable consistency and fighting spirit. Key victories against top teams and a solid performance in the playoffs highlighted their campaign.

The Final Match Recap

In the final, SRH won the toss and elected to bat. However, KKR’s bowlers, led by Mitchell Starc and Andre Russell, dismantled the SRH batting lineup, restricting them to a modest 113 runs. In response, KKR chased down the target in just 10.3 overs, with Venkatesh Iyer and Rahmanullah Gurbaz shining with the bat.

Phil Salt’s Video Call Celebration

As soon as KKR secured the title, the first video call was made to Phil Salt, who was back home preparing for a T20I series against Pakistan. The joyous interaction was shared on KKR’s official social media, showing Salt’s excitement and his teammates’ appreciation for his contributions.

Phil Salt and Sunil Narine: The Dynamic Opening Pair

The opening partnership between Phil Salt and Sunil Narine was a game-changer for KKR. Their complementary styles—Salt’s aggressive batting and Narine’s steady hand—created a formidable opening duo that often put KKR in commanding positions right from the start.

Salt’s journey in IPL 2024 was a story of redemption. Unsold in the previous auction, he was brought in as a replacement for Jason Roy. Salt seized the opportunity, turning his fortunes around and becoming a key player for KKR.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has decided to recall its players from the Indian Premier League (IPL) just before the playoffs, citing the upcoming T20 World Cup as the primary reason.

Importance of T20 World Cup Preparation

With the T20 World Cup looming, the ECB emphasizes the importance of preparing its players for the global tournament. To ensure adequate preparation and cohesion within the squad, ECB has scheduled a home series against Pakistan, starting from May 22.

See Also: England announce 15-member squad for T20 World Cup 2024

Focus on the Home Series Against Pakistan

In line with this strategy, the ECB has mandated that players selected for the T20 World Cup squad must be available for the Pakistan series, necessitating their withdrawal from the IPL. This decision underscores ECB’s commitment to fielding a competitive and well-prepared team for the World Cup.

ECB’s Announcement and its Implications

The official announcement from the ECB confirms the return of selected players from the IPL in time for the Pakistan series. This announcement clarifies the board’s stance and ensures transparency regarding player availability and commitments leading to the T20 World Cup.

“Selected players, currently playing in the Indian Premier League, will return in time for the series against Pakistan, which gets underway at Headingley on Wednesday 22 May 2024,” ECB said in the release published on its official website.

Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders

The decision to recall England players from the IPL playoffs will significantly impact teams like Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders. Key players such as Jos Buttler and Phil Salt, integral to their respective teams’ batting lineups, will be unavailable for crucial matches.

Additionally, players like Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Sam Curran, and Liam Livingstone, representing teams like Chennai Super Kings and Punjab Kings, will depart from the IPL. While their absence may not directly affect playoff standings, it diminishes the strength and depth of their respective teams.

England’s T20 World Cup bound players with different IPL teams

Jos Buttler – Rajasthan Royals

Moeen Ali – Chennai Super Kings

Jonny Bairstow, Sam Curran, Liam Livingstone – Punjab Kings

Reece Topley, Will Jacks – Royal Challengers Bengaluru

Phil Salt – Kolkata Knight Riders

Phil Salt has been a standout performer in IPL 2024, amassing an impressive 392 runs at a strike rate of 180.64, including four half-centuries. His latest fifty, scored against Delhi Capitals, is particularly noteworthy since it was this team that released him after just one season due to his inconsistent performance. However, what seemed like a questionable move by DC has turned into a significant advantage for Kolkata Knight Riders.

KKR’s decision to sign Salt was somewhat fortuitous, coming as a result of Jason Roy withdrawing from the tournament. Salt seized this opportunity to revive his IPL career, proving to be an exceptional addition to the team. Opting to play Salt over Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who had participated in 11 matches for KKR the previous season, has proved to be a wise decision. Salt’s dynamic opening partnerships with Sunil Narine have been instrumental in KKR’s strong positioning on the points table, underscoring his vital role in the team’s success this season.

See Also: IPL 2024: Player Analysis: How did Varun Chakaravarthy shine at Eden Gardens despite the odds?

Phil Salt’s Performance Against Pace in IPL 2024

Phil Salt’s formidable prowess against fast bowling has been a significant factor in his IPL 2024 success. He leads the charts in scoring against pacers, racking up 337 runs at an average of 56.17 and a remarkable strike rate of 189.3. This performance places him ahead of most players, with only Travis Head and Dinesh Karthik surpassing his combined average and strike rate against fast bowlers.

In the powerplay, Salt’s aggressive approach continues to pay dividends. He boasts a strike rate of 183.3 in this phase of the game, ranking him fourth among players who have scored at least 30 runs, only trailing behind Jake Fraser-McGurk, Abhishek Sharma, and Travis Head. Salt’s effectiveness can be attributed to his skill in handling fast deliveries on length and short length, where he strikes at 150 and 206, respectively.

This ability to dominate quick bowlers in specific areas has not only bolstered his own performance but has also consistently provided KKR with rapid starts, making him a crucial asset at the top of the order. Phil Salt’s exceptional performance against pacers is significantly more impressive when compared to other batters in the IPL. While the average strike rate for other batters against deliveries bowled on a good length is 129, and 164 for shorter deliveries, Salt outshines them considerably.

His superior strike rates in these challenging areas highlight his ability to effectively handle pace, giving him and his team a distinct advantage in matches. This prowess could also be particularly advantageous for Salt during England’s upcoming cricket schedule in the West Indies, where conditions often favor fast bowling. Salt’s recent history of scoring back-to-back centuries against the West Indies just before the IPL auction in December 2023 showcases his capability in such conditions, though surprisingly, it wasn’t enough to attract immediate bids during the auction.

However, the turn of events that led to his signing with KKR, following Jason Roy’s withdrawal, has not only revitalized his IPL career but could potentially act as a springboard for securing a more permanent opening slot with the England cricket team. His ongoing success in the IPL may well cement his reputation and open more doors internationally, particularly if he continues to excel against fast bowling in challenging conditions.

In a thrilling match of the Indian Premier League (IPL), Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) stormed to a dominant 7-wicket victory over Delhi Capitals (DC), showcasing a remarkable comeback after their previous setback and solidifying their second-place position on the leaderboard.

Phil Salt and Sunil Narine become the ultimate game changer of the match 

Chasing a modest target of 154 runs set by Delhi, Kolkata’s openers, Phil Salt and Sunil Narine, set the stage on fire with a blazing 79-run partnership in just 6 overs, putting their team in a commanding position early in the game.

Although Narine’s departure caused a brief hiccup, Shreyas Iyer and Venkatesh Iyer ensured a smooth finish for KKR, guiding their team to victory with ease. Delhi’s bowlers, especially Lizaad Williams in the initial overs, struggled to contain the aggressive KKR batsmen, allowing them to dictate terms.

Their partnership, characterized by one player taking charge while the other rotates the strike, played a crucial role in KKR’s victory.

On the other hand, Delhi’s batting faltered right from the start as they failed to find momentum. Losing crucial wickets in the Powerplay, they struggled to capitalize on promising starts. While players like Rishabh Pant, Axar Patel, and Abishek Porel showed glimpses of potential, only Kuldeep Yadav’s resilient knock of 35 runs offered any significant resistance.

Varun Chakaravarthy shows brilliance in the bowling unit 

KKR’s bowling unit, led by Varun Chakaravarthy’s three-wicket haul, put the brakes on Delhi’s batting line-up, with Vaibhav Arora and Harshit Rana also making valuable contributions with two wickets each.

Phil Salt, the hero of KKR’s chase, expressed his delight at contributing to the team’s success in the IPL. He credited the bowlers for their stellar performance and praised the team’s ability to bounce back from their previous defeat. Salt highlighted the team’s aggressive approach at the top of the order, stating that while it involves risks, it often pays off in their favor. He also emphasized the importance of his experience as a wicketkeeper, which helped him assess the conditions and enhance his batting performance.

See Also: IPL 2024: Phil Salt gives explosive start to KKR against DC

With this win, KKR secured their sixth victory of the season, further solidifying their position as the second-best team in the IPL standings.