• Source:JND
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KKR vs RCB, IPL 2025: Virat Kohli is all set and geared up for action in the IPL 2025 which kicks off on March 22 with the match between the defending Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Eden Gardens.

Virat will be heading into the 18th edition of the cash-rich league with high confidence, having recently played a key role in India's ICC Champions Trophy 2025 title win in Dubai.

During the opening match of the IPL 2025, Virat, who is the all-time top scorer in the history of the tournament, will have a chance to improve his record at the Eden Gardens in the IPL. He has played a total of 13 matches at the iconic venue in the tournament since its first season in 2008.

He has scored just 371 runs in 12 innings at an average of 37.10 and a strike rate of 130.17. Virat has only smashed one fifty in the IPL at Eden Gardens.

However, Kohli, who has 8004 runs to his name in 252 IPL matches played so far, has a promising batting record against KKR. He currently has 962 runs to his name in 34 matches he has played against RCB's biggest rivals.

It means if Virat manages to score 38 runs, he will become the third batter to cross the 1000-run mark against KKR in the IPL and the first batter to score at least 1000 runs against four teams in the tournament's history.

Amid so much talk regarding Virat's strike rate in the IPL in the last few seasons, veteran cricketer Piyush Chawla said that the strike rate isn't a matter of discussion as 130 or 140 isn't something bad for the player of his role.

"He is somebody who has always delivered for his team. If you see the numbers, the number speaks for itself. And strike rate, we talk about so much. But his strike rate is always good 130 plus, 140. Because you need one player who wants to, you know, as a team management, you want him to hold the one end. And if somebody, like Virat doing the job for the team and that too at a strike rate of 130, that is really good. 130, 140 around. We talk so much without like, you know, thinking about that much about it," Piyush told ANI.

Virat had a memorable campaign last season and ended the tournament as the leading run-getter, scoring 741 runs in 15 matches at an average of 61.75. His effort helped RCB reach the playoffs but ended up losing the Eliminators fixture against Rajasthan Royals.