Udaipur, May 16, 2025: IPL 2025 is returning after the tension between India and Pakistan came to an end. The tournament will resume with the match between Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on May 17. This match will take place at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru.

RCB needs to win just one of their remaining three matches to qualify for the playoffs. However, the team will aim to win at least two games to stay at the top of the points table. On the other hand, even if Kolkata wins both of their remaining matches, they will reach only 15 points, and will need other results to go in their favour to make it to the playoffs.

Earlier, IPL 2025 was stopped midway due to the India-Pakistan conflict. Many foreign players returned home during this break. Now the situation is normal, but some players have still not returned. Meanwhile, RCB captain Rajat Patidar was injured recently. But he joined practice before the match, which means he is likely to play against KKR.

Possible Partners for Virat Kohli in RCB

Virat Kohli will return to the field after retiring from Test cricket. His partner could be either Jacob Bethell or Phil Salt from RCB. Mayank Agarwal, who replaced Devdutt Padikkal, may be tried at number 3. Captain Rajat Patidar, if fit, can play at number 4, and wicketkeeper Jitesh Sharma at number 5. Tim David can play in the lower order. Krunal Pandya will likely continue as an all-rounder. The bowling attack may include Romario Shepherd, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Lungi Ngidi, and Yash Dayal.

RCB’s probable playing XI

Jacob Bethell/Phil Salt, Virat Kohli, Mayank Agarwal, Rajat Patidar (captain, fitness subject), Jitesh Sharma (wicketkeeper), Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Romario Shepherd, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Lungi Ngidi, Yash Dayal.

Impact player: Suyash Sharma

Kolkata Knight Riders Likely to Stick with the Same Team

Kolkata Knight Riders will probably make few changes. Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Sunil Narine will open the innings as the team hopes for some luck to reach the playoffs. Captain Ajinkya Rahane can bat at number 3. The team is likely to rely on Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Manish Pandey, Andre Russell, and Rinku Singh.

KKR’s probable playing XI

Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wicketkeeper), Sunil Narine, Ajinkya Rahane (captain), Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Manish Pandey, Andre Russell, Rinku Singh, Moeen Ali, Ramandeep Singh, Vaibhav Arora, Varun Chakraborty.

Impact player: Harshit Rana