The 18th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), branded as TATA IPL 2025, kicks off today, March 22, at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. This year’s tournament promises a thrilling mix of cricket and entertainment, spanning over two months and featuring 74 matches across 13 cities in India.
The defending champions, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), will face Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the opening match after a grand opening ceremony.
Opening Ceremony Highlights
The IPL 2025 opening ceremony is set to dazzle fans with performances by Bollywood actress Disha Patani, playback singer Shreya Ghoshal, and Punjabi music sensation Karan Aujla.
The event is scheduled to begin at 6 pm, and will feature high-energy dance routines and soulful music, creating an electrifying atmosphere before the cricketing action unfolds. However, weather forecasts predict drizzle in Kolkata from 5 pm to 11 pm, which could potentially delay proceedings.
Teams and Format
This season features ten franchise teams divided into two groups:
Group A: Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Rajasthan Royals (RR), Punjab Kings (PBKS), Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).
Group B: Mumbai Indians (MI), Gujarat Titans (GT), Delhi Capitals (DC), Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), Lucknow Super Giants (LSG).
Each team will play 14 league matches—facing opponents within their group and one designated team from the other group twice, while playing the remaining four teams once. The top four teams will advance to the playoffs, culminating in the final on May 25 at Eden Gardens.
Opening Match Details
The first match of IPL 2025 pits KKR against RCB at Eden Gardens. KKR, led by Nitish Rana, will look to defend their title against RCB’s star-studded lineup featuring Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis. The game begins at 7:30 pm.
Fans can catch all matches live on Star Sports channels in English, Hindi, and regional languages. Free live streaming is available on JioCinema in India, with Disney+ Hotstar providing additional options.
What’s Next?
Following today’s opener, Sunrisers Hyderabad will take on Rajasthan Royals tomorrow at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. With every team vying for supremacy in cricket’s most lucrative T20 league, IPL 2025 promises unforgettable moments for fans worldwide.
Brace yourselves for a season filled with pulsating cricket action and star-studded entertainment!
