After a week’s break, the excitement of IPL 2025 has returned. The first match after this break will be between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on Saturday, May 17. This match can give IPL 2025 the first team of the playoffs. If RCB wins, it will qualify for the playoffs. This is a do-or-die match for the 2024 champion KKR. If Kolkata’s team loses, it will be out of the playoff race.
57 matches were played in IPL 2025 before the war situation between India and Pakistan. After these matches, the Gujarat Titans, Royal Challengers Bangalore, and Punjab Kings teams are in the top-3 in the points table. Gujarat and Bangalore teams have 16-16 points. Punjab Kings have 15 points. Kolkata Knight Riders are at number six with 11 points from 12 matches. If they lose even one match, then they will not be able to go beyond 15 points.
A day before the match with RCB, KKR batsman Manish Pandey said that his team did not stop practicing even after the IPL was postponed. They knew that the league would start again, and this short break helped them gain rhythm. Pandey said, ‘The tournament being postponed in the middle did not make much difference because being a professional cricketer, we know what to do. We knew that the tournament would start again but did not know when. It is a good thing that the break was not long. ‘ He said, ‘We were going to the gym and working on the game. The whole team is here, and everyone is eager to perform well. ‘
RCB director Mo Bobat said that captain Rajat Patidar is recovering fast from a finger injury, which is good news for the team. Bobat said, ‘Rajat’s finger is fine. He had an injury in his hand, but it is slowly recovering. The IPL break has also benefited. His swelling is reducing and he is holding the bat again.’ Fast bowler Josh Hazlewood is recovering from a shoulder injury. However, he is not associated with RCB. He said, ‘At present, Josh is the only player who is not here. He is recovering from a shoulder injury.’
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