IPL 2025 To Begin On March 22 With KKR vs RCB, Grand Finale On May 25 In Kolkata

Kolkata Knight Riders To Face Royal Challengers Bengaluru In Opening Clash, Final Set For May 25 In Kolkata

February 14, 2025: The highly anticipated 18th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2025) is set to begin a day earlier than previously announced. According to a Cricbuzz report, the tournament will kick off on March 22, with defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) facing Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the iconic Eden Gardens.

Also Read: Yashasvi Jaiswal to Feature in Ranji Trophy Semifinal After Champions Trophy Snub

This report contradicts the earlier statement by BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla, who had claimed on January 12 that the tournament would commence on March 23.

---

What To Expect From IPL 2025?

IPL 2025 promises to be an exciting season with teams undergoing significant transformations following the mega auction held in November 2024. Teams were allowed a maximum of six retentions, while the remaining squads were rebuilt through intense bidding wars.

Biggest Auction Highlight: Rishabh Pant Creates History

One of the biggest talking points of the auction was Rishabh Pant’s record-breaking bid. The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) secured the star wicketkeeper-batsman for a whopping INR 27 crore, making him the most expensive player in IPL auction history.

Also Read: Kevin Pietersen’s Son Receives Special Gift from Virat Kohli

---

Full IPL 2025 Schedule Details (As Reported)

• Opening Match: March 22 – KKR vs RCB at Eden Gardens, Kolkata
• Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) vs Rajasthan Royals (RR): March 23 at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad
• Final: May 25 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata

Expanded Venues For IPL 2025

Apart from the 10 regular venues—Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Lucknow, Mullanpur, Delhi, Jaipur, Kolkata, and Hyderabad—the league will also feature matches in Guwahati and Dharamsala.

Also Read: Former Pakistan Captain Sarfaraz Recalls 2017 Champions Trophy Win

• Guwahati: Will host two Rajasthan Royals’ home matches on March 26 and March 30 against Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings.
• Dharamsala: Expected to host two Punjab Kings home games.

---

Exciting Changes For IPL 2025

This season will mark several major changes:

✔ RCB’s New Captain: Rajat Patidar was officially announced as RCB’s new skipper on Thursday.
✔ High-Value Squad Revamps: Several teams restructured their core squads, bringing in new talent.
✔ Expanded Venue List: Inclusion of Guwahati and Dharamsala adds a fresh dimension to the tournament.
✔ Strong Competition: With big names and fresh combinations, IPL 2025 is expected to be one of the most competitive editions ever.

---

What’s Next?

With just over a month left until the grand opening, fans are eagerly awaiting the official confirmation from BCCI. Meanwhile, franchises are gearing up for pre-season camps, and players will soon start arriving from international duties.

Stay tuned for more updates on IPL 2025, including official match fixtures, team previews, and expert analysis! 🏏

Tags: IPL2025, IndianPremierLeague, KKRvsRCB, IPL2025Schedule, T20Cricket, IPLNews