Best IPL opening matches of all time – Where does the 2025 opener rank?

GT Opening Pair. (Photo source : BCCI/IPL)

Over the years, the Indian Premier League (IPL) has witnessed some exhilarating matches to kick-start a new season. The first match in any tournament is important as a lot of fans tune in with a lot of interest. A memorable opening encounter sets the foundation and the expectations for the rest of the tournament.

In IPL 2025, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) made light work of defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the iconic Eden Gardens. After restricting KKR to 174/8 on a brilliant batting surface, Phil Salt and Virat Kohli’s swashbuckling half-centuries helped the visiting side reach home with seven wickets and 22 balls to spare. However, to know whether this encounter ranks among the top five opening matches in IPL history, it is important to look at ones which captivated the audience with twists and turns like a typical Hollywood thriller.

5. RPSG stun Mumbai Indians on debut (2016)

Rising Pune Supergiant (RPSG) was one of the two teams which replaced Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) in IPL 2016 and IPL 2017. Under MS Dhoni’s leadership, the Pune-based franchise turned heads when they shocked defending champions Mumbai Indians (MI) in their debut match.

MI won the toss and elected to bat first at the historic Wankhede Stadium. The Rohit Sharma-led side lost wickets at regular intervals as RPSG bowled superbly. The likes of Mitchell Marsh, Rajat Bhatia, and Murugan Ashwin used the sluggish conditions to their advantage and restricted MI to 121/8 in their 20 overs. In reply, RPSG romped home on the back of an unbeaten 42-ball 66 from Ajinkya Rahane. They chased the target in just 14.4 overs with nine wickets to spare.

4. CSK beat KKR in a last-ball thriller (2011)

Defending champions Chennai Super Kings clashed with KKR in the first match of IPL 2011 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chepauk on April 8. MS Dhoni won the toss and opted to bat first on a typical Chepauk surface. They posted 153/4 on the back of Srikkanth Anirudha’s gritty half-century. Suresh Raina and Dhoni also made crucial contributions with the bat.

In reply, KKR got off to a sedate start, with Manvinder Bisla and Jacques Kallis putting on a 64-run opening stand inside the first nine overs. Manoj Tiwary scored a fluent 27 off 15 balls, while Kallis tried to anchor the innings. However, CSK kept taking wickets at regular intervals to eventually restrict the visitors to 151/7 in their 20 overs.

3. RCB beat Mumbai by two wickets off the last ball (2021)

RCB won the toss at Chepauk in the opening game of IPL 2021 on April 9 and opted to field first. Chris Lynn and Suryakumar Yadav batted well for the five-time champions, but the lower-order batters couldn’t get accustomed to the tricky surface. Harshal Patel took a five-for as MI were restricted to 159/9 in their 20 overs.

In reply, Virat Kohli dropped anchor while Glenn Maxwell and AB de Villiers took the attack to the MI bowlers. Seven runs were required off the last over for RCB with three wickets remaining. All eyes were on de Villiers, who was batting on 46 off 25 balls. However, the South African stalwart was run out off the fourth delivery. With one run needed off the final ball, Harshal kept his composure and nudged one to short fine for a single to take RCB home.

2. Dhoni’s Army beats Mumbai to take upon IPL comeback in a humdinger (2018)

Chennai Super Kings returned to action in style as they defeated long-standing rivals and defending champions Mumbai Indians in an edge-of-the-seat thriller at the Wankhede Stadium on April 7, 2018. MS Dhoni won the toss and opted to field first. Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, and Krunal Pandya played blistering knocks to help MI post 165/4 in their 20 overs.

The top-order batters for CSK couldn’t capitalise on their starts. They were staring down the barrel at 118/8 in the 17th over. However, Dwayne Bravo played a surreal knock of 68 off 30 balls to keep his team in the hunt. Kedar Jadhav, who had to walk off the field while batting earlier in the innings due to an injury, came back to take CSK home with one wicket and a ball to spare. He hit 10 runs off the last two balls of the match, bowled by Mustafizur Rahman.

1. Brendon McCullum lights up Chinnaswamy in first-ever IPL game

The inaugural season of the IPL was held in 2008. Like this season, RCB and KKR locked horns. However, this match was played at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. Rahul Dravid, who was leading RCB, won the toss and opted to field first. Brendon McCullum opened the innings with Sourav Ganguly and played phenomenally. He put the RCB bowlers to the sword, slamming an unbeaten 158 off 73 deliveries with the help of 10 fours and 13 sixes. KKR posted a mammoth 222/3. The second-highest scorer for KKR was Ricky Ponting, and he only made a run-a-ball 20.

RCB didn’t know what had struck them, and their batters were reeling after all the carnage in the first innings. Apart from Praveen Kumar, no other RCB batter could get into double figures. KKR bowled the hosts out for just 82 in 15.1 overs. Ajit Agarkar starred with a three-for, while Ashok Dinda and Ganguly bagged two wickets apiece.

While the IPL 2025 opener was a riveting contest, it failed to break into our top five curtain-raising matches in the league’s history.

Disclaimer: This latest news is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. As you review this information, consider the points mentioned and form your own conclusions.

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