The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 is gearing up for another thrilling season, with the opening match scheduled for March 22, 2025. The defending champions, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), will kick off the season at their home ground, Eden Gardens, facing off against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). This exciting match marks the beginning of the IPL's 18th edition, promising cricket fans an action-packed tournament.
Last season, KKR celebrated their third IPL title, and expectations are high as they attempt to replicate their success. Despite the absence of their legendary mentor Gautam Gambhir, the team is eager to start strong. Meanwhile, RCB, still on the hunt for their first IPL trophy, has announced Rajat Patidar as their new captain, injecting fresh energy and strategy as they aim for victory.
The playoffs of IPL 2025 are scheduled to take place from May 22 to May 25, 2025. The tournament will adhere to its traditional format where the top four teams will advance from the group stages to the playoffs, culminating with the final to be held at the iconic Eden Gardens. According to reports, the playoff matches will occur at two primary venues: the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad and Eden Gardens. The latter will host Qualifier 2 and the grand finale, making it the highlight venue of the series.
Fans can expect the playoff dates to be around the weekend of May 25, with Qualifier 1 taking place earlier within the week. Traditionally, IPL playoffs span about one week, and based on past tournament schedules, these dates provide stakeholders with ample time to plan for this exciting conclusion to the season.
On another note, significant changes are coming to the IPL viewing experience. JioCinema, which had been streaming IPL matches for free since acquiring digital rights, will soon introduce a subscription model starting with the 2025 season. This adjustment follows the launch of JioHotstar, which is formed from a joint venture between Viacom18 and Star India. Fans will now need to pay to access live streaming of the matches, leading to new viewing patterns.
The new streaming platform is expected to offer varied subscription plans, including a basic package priced at Rs 149 and more premium options available at Rs 499 for three months without ads. This marks a shift from the previous free model and will impact how fans engage with the tournament.
Despite the impending subscription fees, cricket enthusiasts are still thrilled about the upcoming season. The excitement surrounding the opening match at Eden Gardens adds to the anticipation. The match will be particularly historic, as KKR and RCB previously faced each other during the inaugural game of the IPL back in 2008.
This year, the two teams look forward to making their mark once more. KKR's coach and support staff are optimistic about the squad's depth and resilience. The player lineup includes several seasoned international stars who command impressive followings, promising high-level performances.
Fans will also be watching closely as Delhi Capitals (DC) prepare for the two matches scheduled at the ACA-VDCA Stadium, having selected it as their second home ground. Following extensive renovations and upgrades to the facility, which include new floodlights and improved VIP areas, the DC franchise has expressed satisfaction with the enhancements and aims to deliver strong performances at the venue.
DC will be led by seasoned players like KL Rahul, Axar Patel, and Mitchell Starc, though they have yet to announce their captain for IPL 2025 after parting ways with Rishabh Pant. The franchise's management is eager to maximize the potential of their powerful lineup and engage fans at this newly improved venue.
With the excitement building around the IPL, fans are eager for the official announcement of the complete schedule, rumored to be released soon. With cities across India gearing up to cheer for their favorite teams, the IPL 2025 season is sure to be one to watch.