The excitement is building as the Indian Premier League (IPL) gears up to return for its 18th edition, scheduled to kick off on March 21, 2025. The final match is set to take place on May 25, 2025, at the iconic Eden Gardens, Kolkata, where the defending champions, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), will host the opening ceremony and the ultimate clash for the title.
The BCCI is yet to announce the complete schedule of IPL 2025; fans expect fixtures to be unveiled shortly, with speculations pointing to the reveal occurring before the Champions Trophy starts. This year’s tournament will feature ten teams competing across 74 matches, promising high-stakes cricket and entertainment aplenty.
With the opening match pitting KKR, the reigning champions, against yet-to-be-announced challengers, anticipation is rife for the inaugural game at Eden Gardens. Following their victorious run last season, where they claimed the title by defeating the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) by eight wickets, KKR is eager to defend their crown. During the final match of IPL 2024, KKR showcased their prowess by easily chasing down SRH’s meager score of 113 runs, with Venkatesh Iyer earning accolades for his unbeaten 52.
For the upcoming season, KKR will not only defend their title but also engage their fanbase with a unique initiative: the first-ever Trophy Tour. This landmark celebration will traverse nine cities, allowing fans across India to connect with the coveted trophy and relive the triumph of the franchise. Expected to begin on February 14, the tour will cover cities including Guwahati, Bhubaneswar, Ranchi, and Patna, culminating back at their home ground by mid-March.
Binda Dey, Group CMO of Knight Riders Sports, expressed the franchise’s enthusiasm for this unprecedented event, stating, "We are very excited to bring the Trophy Tour to our fans in Eastern India. Due to some unavoidable reasons, we couldn’t do a victory march in Kolkata after the title win last season. For us, our fans are like family. They have showered KKR with immense love, in good times and bad. This tour is our attempt at bringing back to the fans, the trophy our players had won through their constant love and support last season." This sentiment of gratitude exemplifies the franchise’s appreciation for its supporters.
The planned cities and dates for the Trophy Tour include:
- February 14: Guwahati, City Center Mall
- February 16: Bhubaneswar, Nexus Esplanade Mall
- February 21: Jamshedpur, P&M Hi-Tec Mall
- February 23: Ranchi, JD Hi Street Mall
- February 28: Gangtok, West Point Mall
- March 2: Siliguri, City Center Mall
- March 7: Patna, City Center Mall
- March 9: Durgapur, Junction Mall
- March 12: Kolkata, City Center Mall
- March 16: Kolkata, South City Mall
The tour aims to create memorable experiences for KKR supporters, offering them the chance to not only witness the trophy but engage through fun cricket-themed activities. Visitors can participate in games such as Cricket Rock Paper Scissors and Cricket Pong, with opportunities to win exciting prizes and keepsakes from the team. This initiative reflects the franchise's commitment to fostering closer connections with their fan base, ensuring they feel included as part of the KKR family.
The format of IPL 2025 follows the traditional structure seen in previous editions. With teams divided across two groups of five, each team will engage in 14 matches, totaling 74, before proceeding to the playoffs—a thrilling conclusion to the regular season. The playoffs will involve Qualifier 1, Eliminator, Qualifier 2, and the prestigious Final, each match laden with the expectation and excitement characteristic of the IPL.
Cricket enthusiasts can look forward to detailed match coverage as the league commences. The broadcasts for IPL 2025 will be available on the Jio Cinema app and Star Sports, with precise timings yet to be confirmed. This season, the tournament will be broadcast under the new Jio Star brand, resulting from Viacom18's merger with Star India, which acquired the satellite and digital rights for IPL seasons stretching from 2023 to 2027.
With the launch date fast approaching, fans are buzzing with excitement. IPL 2025 promises to be more engaging than ever, connecting teams and their supporters like never before, particularly through KKR's groundbreaking Trophy Tour and the thrilling matches to come.