IPL 2025 to Begin on March 22 with KKR vs RCB Clash, Final on May 25

The highly anticipated Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season is set to begin on March 22, with defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) taking on Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the tournament opener at Eden Gardens. The final will be played on May 25, according to a report by ESPNcricinfo.

While the official schedule has not yet been released, the report suggests that last season’s runners-up, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), will begin their campaign on March 23 with an afternoon clash against Rajasthan Royals (RR), led by Sanju Samson. The same day will also feature the much-anticipated ‘El-Clasico’ of the IPL, where five-time champions Mumbai Indians (MI) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will face off at Chepauk in the evening.

The 2025 edition of the IPL will begin just 12 days after the ICC Champions Trophy final, which is scheduled for March 9. The tournament will be held across 12 venues, including the 10 home grounds of each franchise. Additionally, Rajasthan Royals will play at a second venue, while Punjab Kings (PBKS) will have matches in Dharamsala as well as their primary home venue.

The opening fixture will feature two teams with fresh leadership. RCB recently appointed Rajat Patidar as their new captain, while KKR is yet to announce its successor for Shreyas Iyer. RCB had a dramatic run in the previous season, making a strong comeback with six consecutive wins after a slow start of just one victory in their first eight matches. However, history favors KKR in head-to-head encounters, as the three-time champions have beaten RCB in eight of their last 12 meetings at Kolkata.

Punjab Kings will also see a new leadership duo, with Shreyas as the captain and Ricky Ponting as the head coach. The team is set to play four matches at their new home venue in Mullanpur, while three of their fixtures will take place in Dharamsala.

With the stage set for another thrilling season, fans can expect intense rivalries, new strategies, and exciting performances as teams battle for the coveted IPL trophy.