Promo Codes for JioHotstar
ये प्रोमो कोड हर घंटे अपडेट होते हैं। नोट: Every Hour these codes will change so keep patience and try again
Key Points
- It seems likely that IPL 2025, the 18th edition, will run from March 22 to May 25, 2025, featuring 10 teams and 74 matches.
- The defending champions, Kolkata Knight Riders, will face Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the opening match on March 22 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
- Research suggests key players like Rishabh Pant (Lucknow Super Giants, Rs 27 crore) and Shreyas Iyer (Punjab Kings, Rs 26.75 crore) were record-breaking auction buys, with young talent Vaibhav Suryavanshi also highlighted.
- The tournament will follow new rules, including the ICC Code of Conduct for T20Is and an expanded player replacement policy for injuries.
IPL 2025: A Comprehensive Overview
The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 is set to captivate cricket fans worldwide with its 18th edition, promising a blend of seasoned stars and emerging talents. As of March 20, 2025, the tournament is poised to kick off on March 22, running through to May 25, with 74 matches scheduled across 13 venues in India. This section provides a detailed breakdown of the tournament, its format, teams, and key highlights, ensuring a thorough understanding for enthusiasts and casual followers alike.
Tournament Schedule and Format
IPL 2025 will span 8 weeks, from March 22 to May 25, 2025, featuring a total of 74 matches. The format follows the traditional home-and-away structure, with each of the 10 teams playing 14 matches in the league stage. The top four teams will advance to the playoffs, which include Qualifier 1, the Eliminator, Qualifier 2, and the Final. The playoff schedule is as follows: Qualifier 1 and the Eliminator will be held in Hyderabad on May 20 and 21, respectively, while Qualifier 2 and the Final will take place at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on May 23 and 25.
The tournament kicks off with a highly anticipated match between the defending champions, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on March 22 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. This opening clash is expected to set the tone for the season, drawing significant attention from fans. The final, also at Eden Gardens, promises a grand conclusion to the cricketing extravaganza.
Matches will be played in two time slots: afternoon games at 3:30 PM IST and evening games at 7:30 PM IST, with 12 double-headers scheduled to maximize the viewing experience. Fans can catch the action live on Star Sports channels or stream it online via the JioHotstar app and website (JioHotstar).
Teams and Squads
The IPL 2025 auction, held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, saw franchises spending a collective purse of Rs 641.5 crore to build their squads. The auction was notable for record-breaking deals, with Rishabh Pant becoming the most expensive player in IPL history, signing with Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for Rs 27 crore. Shreyas Iyer followed closely, joining Punjab Kings (PBKS) for Rs 26.75 crore, briefly holding the record before Pant's deal.
The 10 teams and their captains are as follows, with key players highlighted:
| Team | Captain | Key Players |
|---|---|---|
| Chennai Super Kings (CSK) | Ruturaj Gaikwad | MS Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja, Shivam Dube, Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra |
| Delhi Capitals (DC) | KL Rahul | Jake Fraser-McGurk, Mitchell Starc, Kuldeep Yadav, Tristan Stubbs |
| Gujarat Titans (GT) | Shubman Gill | Jos Buttler, Rashid Khan, Mohammed Siraj, B. Sai Sudharshan |
| Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) | Ajinkya Rahane | Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Quinton de Kock |
| Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) | Rishabh Pant | David Miller, Nicholas Pooran, Mayank Yadav, Aiden Markram |
| Mumbai Indians (MI) | Hardik Pandya | Jasprit Bumrah, Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Will Jacks |
| Punjab Kings (PBKS) | Shreyas Iyer | Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis |
| Rajasthan Royals (RR) | Sanju Samson | Yashasvi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag, Jofra Archer, Vaibhav Suryavanshi |
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) | Rajat Patidar | Virat Kohli, Josh Hazlewood, Phil Salt, Liam Livingstone |
| Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) | Pat Cummins | Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Heinrich Klaasen, Nitish Reddy |
Notable changes include injury replacements such as Chetan Sakariya replacing Umran Malik for KKR and Wiaan Mulder replacing Brydon Carse for SRH. Mumbai Indians also saw Mujeeb-ur-Rahman and Corbin Bosch replace Allah Ghazanfar and Lizaad Williams, respectively. The inclusion of 13-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi by RR adds an unexpected angle, showcasing the league's commitment to nurturing young talent.
New Rules and Changes
IPL 2025 introduces significant rule changes to enhance fairness and player welfare. The league will now follow the International Cricket Council's (ICC) Code of Conduct regulations used for Twenty20 International matches, a shift from its previous internal code. This alignment aims to standardize disciplinary measures across formats.
Additionally, the player replacement policy has been expanded to address season-ending injuries or illnesses. Teams can now make substitutions up to the 12th league fixture, providing flexibility to maintain competitive balance. This change is particularly relevant given the tournament's intensity and the physical demands on players.
Pre-Tournament Highlights and Fan Engagement
The pre-tournament buzz has been fueled by the auction's dramatic moments and strategic team-building. Rishabh Pant's record-breaking deal and Shreyas Iyer's high-value acquisition have dominated headlines, reflecting the league's financial might and competitive spirit. The auction also saw teams balancing experienced players like Virat Kohli with emerging stars, setting the stage for exciting contests.
Off the field, the TATA IPL Fan Parks 2025 initiative will cover 50 cities across 23 states, bringing the IPL experience to fans nationwide. Recent updates include videos on Captains Day and Fan Park Fever, highlighting the growing excitement (IPL Fan Parks). These efforts ensure that the IPL's reach extends beyond stadiums, fostering a vibrant community of supporters.
Conclusion
As IPL 2025 approaches, cricket enthusiasts are gearing up for a season filled with high-stakes matches, star performances, and unexpected twists. The opening match between KKR and RCB on March 22 at Eden Gardens is just the beginning of what promises to be a memorable tournament. With new rules, record-breaking deals, and a focus on fan engagement, IPL 2025 is poised to be another chapter in the league's storied history, captivating audiences worldwide.