Cricket
IPL: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Kolkata Knight Riders Preview: Tips, Odds and Prediction
Date: May 17, 2025 Starting time: 19:30 (IST) Venue: M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru Kolkata Knight Riders will travel to face Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on May 17. IPL betting tips have been released and SportsBoom has previewed the upcoming IPL clash.
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Bhuvneshwar Kumar celebrates the wicket of Tristan Stubbs//Getty Images
After years of coming close but falling just short, Royal Challengers Bengaluru would be cautiously hopeful of a maiden title.
However, they would first need to wrap up their group-stage matches against the defending champions, Kolkata Knight Riders.
The champs failed to muster the same consistency that led them to the title in 2024 and remain in the middle of the IPL 2025 table.
Ahead of KKR’s match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on May 17, IPL betting has opened.
Pre-Game Odds and Win Probability: Royal Challengers Bengaluru Favoured
- Royal Challengers Bengaluru: 43/50 (1.86) - 53.8%
- Kolkata Knight Riders: 24/25 (1.96) - 50.9%
- Draw: 54/1 (55.0) - 1.8%
Odds courtesy of Betandyou - subject to change
Throughout the season, Royal Challengers Bengaluru has been in contention for the playoffs and is almost assured of a place in the next round.
Kolkata Knight Riders, meanwhile, have struggled to find their footing and have never recovered after slipping down to this year’s mid-table positions.
The defending champions would not relish having to face Royal Challengers Bengaluru at home, especially considering their form this season.
With online sports betting open, this is likely to be a high-scoring match for an RCB side with a vision of lifting the IPL trophy for the first time ever.
Head-to-Head Record (IPL)
| Date | Winning Team | Victory Margin |
| March 22, 2025 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 7 wickets |
| April 21, 2024 | Kolkata Knight Riders | 1 run |
| March 29, 2024 | Kolkata Knight Riders | 7 wickets |
| April 26, 2023 | Kolkata Knight Riders | 21 runs |
| April 6, 2023 | Kolkata Knight Riders | 81 runs |
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Current Squad
Key Players to Watch
- Virat Kohli: With an incredible depth of skill and the experience to make it count, Kohli has been one of RCB’s most consistent performers this season, as they aim to end a long title drought. The veteran played a solid knock of 51 runs from 47 balls in the important win against Delhi Capitals - a testament to his legacy as a batsman.
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar: The pace bowler has been somewhat overshadowed by his teammate, Josh Hazlewood, this season, quietly going about his business with his brand of lethal pace and swing. Kumar claimed three wickets for 33 runs against DC, at a tidy economy rate of 8.25, proving his commanding status as a T20 wicket king.
- Krunal Pandya: The all-rounder was Player of the Match in the win against Delhi, and it’s not hard to see why. Pandya claimed one wicket for 28 runs as the hosts were restricted to 162, while his impressive innings of 73 runs from 47 balls was the cherry on top. Royal Challengers would need him to continue contributing in both innings.
Kolkata Knight Riders: Current Squad
Key Players to Watch
- Angkrish Raghuvanshi: Utilising his height to gain the advantage over opposition bowlers, the top-order batsman has served his franchise well this season. In KKR’s victory against Delhi Capitals, he was the top scorer with 44 runs from 32 balls. He has contributed nicely in the opening and middle sessions but would need to spend more time at the crease.
- Sunil Narine: The West Indies all-rounder has adapted wonderfully to varied roles, scoring well at the top of the innings and also picking up consistent wickets. With three dismissals for 29 runs against DC, he recorded a sterling economy rate of 7.25, highlighting his ability to apply pressure on the other teams and force them into errors.
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz: With Kolkata Knight Riders’ usual opening pairing having less impact this season, the Afghani has been called on to take over and has done well in the role. He contributed 26 runs from 12 balls against Delhi but the defending champions would need him to go further - even if their playoff prospects are slim at this stage.
Predicted Line-Ups
Royal Challengers Bengaluru
- Jacob Bethell (An English batsman who replaced Phil Salt, who has been unwell)
- Virat Kohli (This batsman and leader is a master of scoring against any bowler)
- Devdutt Paddikal (A top-order batsman who has scored consistently for his team)
- Rajat Patidar (The captain has been solid this season and has led RCB well)
- Tim David (This Australian batsman is sent in to make high-impact cameos)
- Liam Livingstone (An English all-rounder who would be aiming to give more)
- Jitesh Sharma (A wicketkeeper-batsman with a hard-hitting playing style)
- Krunal Pandya (An all-rounder who has functioned in many roles this season)
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar (The celebrated fast bowler has been destructive in 2025)
- Josh Hazlewood (An Australian bowler is a contender for the top wicket-taker)
- Yash Dayal (A bowler who has contributed wickets and slowed opposition scoring)
Kolkata Knight Riders
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz (An Afghani wicketkeeper-batsman with a good strike rate)
- Sunil Narine (The West Indies all-rounder has delivered quietly and consistently)
- Ajinkya Rahane (The captain has the experience to survive in pressure situations)
- Venkatesh Iyer (An all-rounder who shifts up and down the batting order)
- Angkrish Raghuvanshi (A top-order batter who can cement himself at the crease)
- Rinku Singh (This middle-order batsman plays with power and finesse)
- Andre Russell (A West Indies power hitter who offers an extra bowling option)
- Ramandeep Singh (A middle-order batsman relied on to score at the tail end)
- Harshit Rana (A fast bowler who excels in the powerplay sessions and death overs)
- Varun Chakravarthy (Classed as a mystery spinner, he is a proven wicket-taker)
- Vaibhav Arora (A pace bowler who can also be utilised as an impact option)
Suggested Bets
Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Kolkata Knight Riders betting odds have dropped, with IPL betting tips available such as these:
Team to Win the Toss - Kolkata Knight Riders: As the visiting captain, Ajinkya Rahane will call the coin toss and could hand his team an early advantage for what could be a decisive final match for KKR (19/20 with BetWinner) (19/20 with Betandyou)
Value Bets
IPL betting sites are also offering value bets on matches like these as the league’s group stage draws to a close:
First Ball of the Game - 4 Runs: Royal Challengers Bengaluru have been dominant this season and would likely go all-out, while Kolkata Knight Riders would likely need to approach this match with aggression (5/1 with Betandyou) (5/1 with BetWinner)
Prediction: Royal Challengers to Win
Royal Challengers Bengaluru have been among the teams to beat this season, with their batting, bowling and fielding departments firing on all cylinders. Kolkata Knight Riders have shown glimpses of their championship potential but have failed to capitalise.
With RCB holding the advantage from their recent head-to-head, coupled with the home stadium edge and a powerful squad, SportsBoom’s Kolkata Knight Riders match prediction is that Royal Challengers will roll over the defending champions and take momentum into the playoffs.
Fans of the IPL can also check out betting sites with welcome bonus for extra value when placing stakes on the T20 league action.
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