The Indian Premier League (IPL) is back for its 18th edition in 2025, promising another thrilling season of T20 cricket. Officially branded as TATA IPL 2025, this season kicks off today, March 22, 2025, and will run until May 25, 2025, featuring 10 teams battling across 74 matches in 13 cities across India. With defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) leading the charge, IPL 2025 is set to deliver high-octane action, intense rivalries, and unforgettable moments. Here’s everything you need to know about the schedule and key points to follow.

IPL 2025 Schedule Overview

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the full schedule on February 16, 2025, outlining a packed two-month cricketing extravaganza. Here’s a breakdown of the key dates and structure:

• Start Date: March 22, 2025
  • The season opens with a blockbuster clash between defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata. The match begins at 7:30 PM IST. Royal Challengers Bengaluru won by 7 wkts having top performer as Phil Salt scored 56 runs in 31 balls, while Virat Kohli scored an unbeaten 59 runs in 36 balls.
  • Read our full article on this match :- IPL 2025 की धमाकेदार शुरुआत: KKR बनाम RCB ने ईडन गार्डन्स में मचाया तहलका
• End Date: May 25, 2025
  • The grand final will also be held at Eden Gardens, marking the third time this venue hosts the IPL final (previously in 2012 and 2014).
• Total Matches: 74
  • This includes 70 league-stage matches and 4 playoff matches (Qualifier 1, Eliminator, Qualifier 2, and the Final).
• League Stage: March 22 – May 18, 2025
  • Each of the 10 teams will play 14 matches (7 home, 7 away), totaling 70 league games. The format follows a group-based structure with specific matchups (more on this below).
• Playoffs: May 20 – May 25, 2025
  • Qualifier 1 and Eliminator: May 20-21, Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Hyderabad
  • Qualifier 2: May 23, Eden Gardens, Kolkata
  • Final: May 25, Eden Gardens, Kolkata
• Double-Headers: 12 days
  • Afternoon matches start at 3:30 PM IST, and evening matches at 7:30 PM IST, ensuring fans get double the action on weekends and select weekdays.

Key Early Matches

• March 23: First double-header
  • Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) vs Rajasthan Royals (RR) at 3:30 PM IST, Hyderabad
  • Chennai Super Kings (CSK) vs Mumbai Indians (MI) at 7:30 PM IST, Chennai
• March 24: Delhi Capitals (DC) vs Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), Visakhapatnam
• March 25: Gujarat Titans (GT) vs Punjab Kings (PBKS), Ahmedabad

Venues

The 74 matches will be spread across 13 stadiums, with some teams utilizing secondary home venues:

• Primary Venues: Eden Gardens (Kolkata), Wankhede Stadium (Mumbai), M. Chinnaswamy Stadium (Bengaluru), MA Chidambaram Stadium (Chennai), Narendra Modi Stadium (Ahmedabad), Arun Jaitley Stadium (Delhi), Sawai Mansingh Stadium (Jaipur), Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium (Hyderabad), Ekana Cricket Stadium (Lucknow), and Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium (Mullanpur, Punjab).
• Secondary Venues:
  • Delhi Capitals: 2 matches at ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam
  • Rajasthan Royals: 2 matches at Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati
  • Punjab Kings: 3 matches at HPCA Stadium, Dharamsala

Tournament Format and Team Structure

IPL 2025 retains the 10-team format introduced in 2022, with teams divided into two groups for the league stage:

• Group A: Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Punjab Kings (PBKS), Rajasthan Royals (RR), Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
• Group B: Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), Delhi Capitals (DC), Gujarat Titans (GT), Mumbai Indians (MI), Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)

Match Allocation

• Each team plays 14 league matches:
  • Twice against the 4 other teams in their group (8 matches).
  • Twice against one designated team from the opposite group (2 matches).
  • Once against the remaining 4 teams from the opposite group (4 matches).
• This ensures a balanced yet competitive schedule, culminating in the top 4 teams advancing to the playoffs.

Key Points to Follow in IPL 2025

1. New Rules and Regulations

• ICC Code of Conduct: For the first time, IPL 2025 adopts the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Code of Conduct for T20 Internationals, replacing the IPL’s previous bespoke rules. This aligns the league with global standards.
• Player Retention and Auction:
  • Franchises could retain up to 6 players (max 5 capped, 2 uncapped) ahead of the November 2024 mega auction.
  • Auction purse increased to ₹120 crore (US$14.2 million), with match fees of ₹7.5 lakh per game introduced for players, boosting earnings.
  • Notable retentions: Heinrich Klaasen (SRH, ₹23 crore, most expensive ever), Virat Kohli (RCB, ₹21 crore).
• Auction Highlights:
  • Shreyas Iyer (Punjab Kings, ₹26.75 crore) and Rishabh Pant (LSG, ₹27 crore) broke records as the priciest buys.
  • Vaibhav Suryavanshi, a 13-year-old prodigy, joined Rajasthan Royals for ₹1.1 crore, the youngest IPL signing ever.

2. Blockbuster Rivalries

• KKR vs RCB (March 22): The opener pits the defending champions against a star-studded RCB side led by Virat Kohli. KKR holds an 18-14 head-to-head edge.
• CSK vs MI (March 23): The “El Clasico of IPL” sees five-time champions clash in Chennai. MI leads 20-16 historically.
• RCB vs CSK (April 5): The Southern Derby is a fan favorite, with CSK’s experience facing RCB’s firepower.

3. Players to Watch

• MS Dhoni (CSK): At 43, is this his final IPL? A sixth title would equal MI’s record.
• Rishabh Pant (LSG): New captain, new team—can he lead LSG to their first trophy?
• Mitchell Starc (DC): After a stint with KKR, the Aussie pacer aims to justify his hefty price tag.
• Vaibhav Suryavanshi (RR): The teenage sensation could be a breakout star if given a chance.

4. Broadcasting and Streaming

• TV: Star Sports Network (up to 4K resolution with compatible setups).
• Streaming: JioHotstar (merged JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar) offers exclusive digital coverage. Jio recharge plans above ₹299 include free access.

5. Scheduling Conflicts

• IPL 2025 overlaps with the Pakistan Super League (PSL), running from April 11 to May 25, due to a shift caused by the ICC Champions Trophy (February-March 2025). This could impact player availability and fan attention globally.

6. Playoff Stakes

• Hyderabad hosts Qualifier 1 and the Eliminator, while Kolkata stages Qualifier 2 and the Final. Eden Gardens hosting the final for the first time in a decade adds extra intrigue—will KKR defend their title on home soil?

Why IPL 2025 Matters

IPL 2025 is more than just cricket—it’s a cultural phenomenon. With record-breaking auction spends, new rules, and a packed schedule, the season promises unpredictability and excitement. KKR enters as favorites after their 2024 triumph, but teams like MI, CSK, and SRH boast formidable lineups. For fans, it’s a chance to witness emerging talents like Suryavanshi alongside legends like Dhoni, all vying for glory.

As the tournament unfolds from today, March 22, keep an eye on these key moments, rivalries, and innovations. Whether you’re at the stadium or streaming on JioHotstar, IPL 2025 is set to be a rollercoaster ride of cricketing brilliance.