The 18th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2025) is set to begin with a showdown between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on March 22 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. While the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has yet to release the official schedule, a Cricbuzz report suggests that KKR will face the Bengaluru-based franchise in the tournament opener.
As per tradition, the defending champions, Kolkata Knight Riders, will play the season opener at their home ground in Kolkata. The report also mentions that last season's runners-up, Sunrisers Hyderabad, will begin their campaign at home. They will face Rajasthan Royals in an afternoon match at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Uppal on Sunday, March 23.
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The BCCI have also shared the dates of key matches with the 10 IPL franchises. Moreover, the final will follow tradition and take place in the home city of the defending champions, with Eden Gardens set to host the title clash on Sunday, May 25.
Interestingly, although BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla had initially hinted at a March 23 start for the IPL, the board has now revised the dates.
Rajat Patidar Named RCB Captain Ahead Of IPL 2025
In another IPL development, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) appointed Rajat Patidar as their new captain for the IPL 2025 season on February 13 (Thursday). One of RCB’s retained players ahead of the auction, Patidar brings leadership experience from captaining Madhya Pradesh in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy.
Ahead of the announcement, RCB also had Virat Kohli and Krunal Pandya’s names as potential captaincy options. Kohli, who led RCB for nine years from 2013 to 2021, stepped down from the role before Faf du Plessis took over in 2022. Du Plessis led the side until 2024 before being released ahead of the upcoming season.