Cricket
The much-awaited 18th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to begin, promising an electrifying two-month cricketing festival. As the summer heat rises, cricket fans are eagerly waiting to witness the action-packed tournament featuring thrilling batting, stunning fielding performances, and intense bowling duels. With 10 teams battling it out for the coveted title, IPL 2025 is expected to be one of the most competitive editions ever.
The season will officially kick off today, March 22, with defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) facing one of the most popular teams, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, at 7:30 PM. The tournament will run until May 25, featuring 74 matches across 13 different cities. Fans are excited to see whether a new champion will emerge or if the former title-holders will reclaim their dominance.
This season, five teams will be led by new captains, adding an element of unpredictability to the competition. KKR’s Shreyas Iyer has moved to Punjab Kings, who are hoping he will end their title drought. RCB has placed its trust in Rajat Patidar, while Axar Patel and Rishabh Pant will lead Delhi Capitals and Lucknow Super Giants, respectively. KKR, aiming to defend its title, has appointed Ajinkya Rahane as its captain. Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals will begin their campaigns under interim captains, Suryakumar Yadav and Riyan Parag, respectively.
For Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, this IPL marks a new chapter, as they play their first season after stepping away from international T20s. Both players, IPL legends since its inaugural 2008 season, now have the opportunity to play with less pressure. Rohit, who led Mumbai Indians to five titles, scored 417 runs last season, while Kohli, the highest run-scorer in IPL history (8,004 runs), claimed the Orange Cap in 2024 with 741 runs. With both players in excellent form, fans eagerly await their performances.
A major question surrounding IPL 2025 is whether MS Dhoni will bid farewell to the league. Having led Chennai Super Kings (CSK) since the start of the IPL, Dhoni has remained a fan favorite. While speculation about his retirement has been ongoing for years, he has repeatedly defied expectations. Will he finally say goodbye, or will he declare once again, “I’m not finished yet”?
The IPL 2025 will be held across 13 cities, with 74 matches (70 league matches and four knockout games). The teams are divided into two groups:
The top four teams from the league stage will qualify for the playoffs, with Hyderabad hosting the first qualifier and the eliminator at Uppal Stadium. The final match is scheduled for May 25 in Kolkata.
The league has introduced several rule changes to make the game more competitive:
The highly anticipated opening clash between KKR and RCB faces the threat of rain. Weather reports indicate a 90% chance of rain in Kolkata during match hours. Rain has already disrupted practice sessions over the past few days, raising concerns about whether the match will proceed as planned.
As the biggest cricketing spectacle begins, fans around the world are gearing up for two months of exhilarating action. Will a new champion rise, or will past winners reclaim their glory? Let the IPL 2025 madness begin!
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