RCB head coach Andy Flower gets in a fight with KKR during press conference before IPL 2025 opener

The first match of IPL 2025 is about to begin with defending champions KKR taking on RCB at the iconic Eden Gardens. The teams have already started playing mind games before the match and RCB head coach Andy Flower is at the forefront of it.

The former Zimbabwe cricketer labeled the game as "daunting" for Kolkata Knight Riders as he aimed to fire some shots before the game. Royal Challengers Bengaluru have a new captain for this season and Andy Flower backed Rajat Patidar to do the job well.

Flower also shed light on KKR's strong spin bowling attack which has been their strength over the years. The RCB head coach claimed that his side is up for the challenge and will aim to do well against the home team.

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Andy Flower plays mind games ahead of IPL 2025 opener

During a press conference on the match eve, Andy Flower was asked whether the game against KKR would be a daunting one for his team. However, the RCB head coach wasn't quite pleased with this question and called facing RCB daunting for KKR.

"Yes, it is very daunting. For KKR! I hope it is an El Clasico tomorrow night. That'll be a brilliant way to start IPL 2025," Flower replied to the reporter.

KKR are the defending champions and have been successful in retaining most of their core for this season. However, they have a changed captain as Ajinkya Rahane replaced Shreyas Iyer for the role after the latter decided to show up at the auction.

It will be a challenge for Royal Challengers Bengaluru to go past Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens, which has been the home team's fortress over the years. However, RCB will hope to start their campaign on a high which will give them plenty of confidence.

Andy Flower backs Rajat Patidar

Andy Flower further opened up on his team's new captain Rajat Patidar and backed him to lead the team from the front. Patidar was appointed RCB's captain after the franchise didn't go for Faf du Plessis at the auction.

“We were conscious of building an experienced side in our recruitment, and in saying that, they will be able to give a lot of support to Rajat (Patidar). I think he is really excited about this challenge, and we're right behind him," mentioned Flower.

Andy Flower also shed light on the challenge posed by KKR's two mystery spinners Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy. The former Zimbabwe international claimed that his batting line-up is ready for the challenge and is looking forward to it.

“(Varun) Chakravarthy is in really good form and we know about (Sunil) Narine over many years. But that is why you play this game at this level," said Flower.

"It is to test yourself against the best in the world, and that is one of the most exciting and rewarding parts of playing international cricket or IPL cricket, which the standard is very much like international cricket, and obviously, all the excitement and energy that comes with playing top-class cricket in India comes with that as well”, he explained.

KKR vs RCB head-to-head

Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bengaluru have faced each other 34 times in IPL history and the former have the upper hand. Kolkata have won 20 games while RCB have emerged victorious in 14.

In the last five matches between these two teams, KKR have emerged on the winning side four times. RCB's last win over KKR came three years ago in IPL 2022. Beating the defending champions on their home ground won't be easy for RCB and they will be aiming to be at their best.