The IPL 2025 will kick off with a high-octane match at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata, where the defending champions, KKR, will host Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). This opening fixture sets the tone for what is expected to be a fiercely competitive season. Following this, the second match will feature Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) versus Rajasthan Royals (RR) in an afternoon game at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad.
The IPL 2025 will feature all ten teams from the previous season, each with a mix of seasoned players and new talents. Notable retentions include the likes of Heinrich Klaasen by SRH at a record-breaking price, and Virat Kohli by RCB, showcasing the league’s commitment to blending experience with youth. The mega auction, which took place last year, saw some astronomical bids, with players like Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant fetching unprecedented sums, highlighting the IPL’s status as a high-stakes cricketing event.
This year’s IPL schedule is particularly interesting due to a scheduling conflict with the Pakistan Super League (PSL), which has shifted to April-May 2025. This overlap might affect player availability for those involved in both leagues, potentially reshaping team strategies and adding an element of uncertainty to player line-ups.
Following the merger of Viacom18 and Star India to form JioStar, the broadcasting landscape has seen changes. Fans can look forward to catching the action on Star Sports, with live streaming on JioCinema, now part of the rebranded JioHotstar platform. This ensures that fans from around the world can enjoy the IPL’s non-stop cricketing entertainment.