Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will take on defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the opening match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. Ahead of the much-anticipated season opener, RCB head coach Andy Flower has exuded confidence in his team’s bowling attack, calling it "very daunting for the defending champions." When asked whether starting the tournament against KKR was a challenging task, Flower turned the question around with a witty response. "Yes, it is very daunting. For KKR!" he said, making it clear that RCB is ready for the challenge. The former Zimbabwean cricketer also said that he is excited about the matchup, hoping it would set the tone for an exciting tournament. "I hope it is an El-Clasico. That'll be a brilliant way to start IPL 2025," he added. Andy Flower backs RCB bowlers During the media interaction, Flower addressed concerns about RCB’s bowling unit, particularly the spin attack, which will be led by Krunal Pandya. "Krunal was a significant part of our targeted players in the auction. He's a smart and courageous cricketer. We are looking for great things from Suyash, but none of us know exactly how he's going to go in a full IPL season. And every young player starts off that way," he said. Flower also spoke about the team's experienced pace attack, praising Yash Dayal’s growth as a cricketer. "Our bowling attack includes Hazlewood, Bhuvi [Bhuvneshwar Kumar], Yash, and Krunal. Even Yash has gained good experience now. He has a calm, composed head on his shoulders. So that's four guys who will almost be captaining themselves in terms of tactics and decision-making," he explained. Apart from their key pacers- Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, and Yash Dayal-RCB will also rely on Lungi Ngidi, Nuwan Thushara, and Rasikh Salam to provide depth in the bowling attack. Meanwhile, youngsters Suyash Sharma and Mohit Rathee will have crucial roles to play. Also Read: IPL 2025: KKR vs RCB Match 1 Prediction - Who Will Win Today? After their memorable comeback in IPL 2024, where they won seven consecutive league matches to secure a playoff spot, RCB will be eager to start IPL 2025 on a stronger note.