The iconic Eden Gardens will host the Indian Premier League final after a decade as the much-awaited schedule for the 2025 edition was announced on Sunday. The league will start from Kolkata on 22nd March and return to the same venue after 64 days on 25th May for the final.
KKR vs RCB to kick things off
Current champions Kolkata Knight Riders and perennial under-achievers Royal Challengers Bengaluru will play the opening game on 22 March 2025 in a match that will pit two new captains in all likelihood. The 2025 season will once more have 74 matches spread out across 13 venues and will include 12 double-headers. Last season’s runner-ups Sunrisers Hyderabad will face Rajasthan Royals on 23rd March and arch-rivals Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians will take each other in the second fixture of the day. While the afternoon games will begin at 03.30 PM IST, the evening games will begin from 07.30 PM IST.
Hyderabad, Kolkata to host playoffs
The league stage will conclude on 18th May 2025 with Lucknow Super Giants taking on Sunrisers Hyderabad in Ekana Stadium, Lucknow. After a day’s break, the playoffs will start on the 20th May with Qualifier 1 in Hyderabad. Eliminator (21st May) will also be played in the southern city. Qualifier 2 (23rd May), and Final (25th May) will be played subsequently in Kolkata.
The IPL final returns to Kolkata after a ten-year absence. Eden Gardens last hosted the final in 2015, when the Mumbai Indians defeated the Chennai Super Kings to win their second-ever IPL trophy. The last IPL final was played at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai where KKR defeated SRH to win their third IPL trophy.
3 teams to host in 2 venues
Delhi Capitals will play their home games in Visakhapatnam and at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi. Punjab Kings will play four home games at the New PCA Stadium, New Chandigarh. The picturesque Dharamsala will host three home games of PBKS. As has been the case recently Rajasthan Royals will play home games in two venues too. Samson’s side will play their two home games in Guwahati – where they host KKR and CSK – and play the remainder of the home games at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. Overall, 13 venues will be play hosts across the tournament.
Intriguing face-offs early on
CSK IPL 2025: Ruturaj Gaikwad and MS Dhoni will continue to form the core of Chennai Super Kings in 2025. (BCCI)
The first El Clasico of IPL 2025 – between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings – will come as early as Day 2, with Chepauk hosting the rivals on 23 March in the third match. There will be two clashes between the heavyweights again, with Wankhede hosting the return affair on 20 April. CSK have a blockbuster start to the season, with their first two matches in Chepauk being against MI and RCB. Rishabh Pant will have a very quick reunion as his new side LSG take on his former team DC in the fourth match of the season.
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
