Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the opening match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. KKR’s seasoned spinner, Varun Chakravarthy, is particularly keen on making an impact against RCB’s veteran batter, Virat Kohli. Varun Chakravarthy, who finished as the second-highest wicket-taker in IPL 2024 with 21 wickets, has had limited success against Virat Kohli. In their seven meetings, he has managed to dismiss the former RCB captain only once. Speaking to the media ahead of the season opener, Varun Chakravarthy said: "Definitely excited to be coming up against Virat bhai. Obviously, he has batted well against me, and I want to do well against him." The spinner also highlighted the importance of thorough preparation at the IPL level. "Anyone at this level cannot be considered an easy opposition. Every team in the IPL is as good as the other. RCB has a quality squad, but we have done our homework. I have done mine too," he said. While he refrained from revealing specific plans against RCB, he hinted at having some new variations. "Obviously, I have a few deliveries up my sleeve, but execution will depend on match conditions," he added. Also Read: Top 3 Knocks by Virat Kohli vs KKR in IPL 'Sunil Narine is a legend of the game': Varun Chakravarthy Varun Chakravarthy and Sunil Narine were instrumental in KKR’s title-winning campaign last year, picking up 38 wickets between them. When asked about Narine’s role, Varun was full of praise for the West Indies all-rounder. "I don't need to compliment him—he’s a legend of the game. He was the MVP last year, and we’ve had a few conversations this season. He looks well-prepared and ready to take on the IPL, just like last year," he said. With Shreyas Iyer departure from KKR, Ajinkya Rahane has taken over as captain. The spinner shared insights into their discussions and his role under the new leadership. "We have a new captain this time, and he has spoken to me about where I can be most effective. I have also conveyed my input. Whenever my captain wants me to bowl, I am ready—whether in the powerplay, middle overs, or at the death," he stated. Kolkata Knight Riders will kick off their title defence against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Saturday at Eden Gardens.