Eden Gardens, the iconic home of the Kolkata Knight Riders, is set to be the spotlight for the Indian Premier League 2025. This esteemed venue will host several key matches, starting with the opening fixture on March 22, when KKR faces the Royal Challengers Bangalore. Additionally, the venue will later host the final match of the season on May 25, marking a decade since Kolkata last featured as the final host, with previous finals held in 2013 and 2015. On May 23, Eden Gardens will also welcome Qualifier 2, further solidifying its importance in the tournament.
The IPL 2025 format includes a total of 74 matches conducted over 65 days, featuring an exciting array of 12 double-header days. The season will commence with an electrifying night match pitting Kolkata against Bangalore, ensuring an exhilarating start to the tournament. The very next day will showcase a double-header Sunday, starting with the Sunrisers Hyderabad hosting the Rajasthan Royals, followed by the anticipated clash of titans: Chennai Super Kings against the Mumbai Indians. Both teams have claimed the championship title five times, amplifying the rivalry's intensity.
Among the various teams competing, the Rajasthan Royals, Delhi Capitals, Lucknow Super Giants, and Gujarat Titans will be engaged in three afternoon matches each, contrasting with the other competing teams, which are scheduled for two day matches. Last year, the afternoon games commenced at 3:30 PM IST, a likely continuation in the 2025 schedule.
The tournament will occur across 13 diverse venues, encompassing the primary home grounds of all 10 franchises and additional locations such as Guwahati, Visakhapatnam, and Dharamsala, which serve as secondary home grounds for specific teams. Guwahati and Visakhapatnam will each host two matches, while the breathtaking venue at Dharamsala is scheduled to accommodate three matches. For Punjab Kings, traditionally playing two games annually at HPCA Stadium, this season will feature an extra fixture, marking a notable addition to their home game roster. These scheduled matches, including opponents such as the Capitals, Mumbai, and LSG, will take place between May 4 and May 11, with Punjab notably playing three consecutive home matches.
To facilitate a systematic round-robin format, the teams have been classified into two distinct groups since the IPL expanded to ten franchises in 2022. The first group consists of KKR, RCB, Royals, CSK, and Punjab, while the second features SRH, Capitals, Titans, Mumbai, and LSG. Each team will face their group counterparts twice, alongside one team from the other group determined by seeding. For example, both CSK and Mumbai will meet twice during the tournament, despite being in separate groups.
After their initial confrontation on March 23, CSK and Mumbai will meet again on April 20, with the latter hosting at the Wankhede Stadium. Interestingly, four teams—RCB, Mumbai, Punjab, and LSG—will commence their campaigns with away matches. They will not play their first home games until April. RCB, known for their dramatic comeback last year, secured a playoff position by clinching six consecutive victories after winning only one of the initial eight games. Their initial home advantage will feature prominently during the latter stages of the league, as four of their last six games will take place at M Chinnaswamy Stadium.
As anticipation builds for IPL 2025, fans can look forward to a captivating season filled with intense rivalry, memorable performances, and exhilarating cricket across multiple venues. With the full match schedule available, supporters can prepare for the excitement that unfolds starting March 22 and culminating in the final on May 25.
In summary, the forthcoming IPL 2025 promises a thrilling experience, epitomized by matches filled with passion and unparalleled spectacle. The development of venues, match formats, and team schedules not only ensures engaging cricket but also reflects the growing enthusiasm among fans across India. As the cricketing landscape evolves, the upcoming tournament will undoubtedly consolidate the IPL's status as one of the premier cricketing events globally.