IPL 2025 Kicks Off Today: A Season of High Stakes and Rising Stars

The 18th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to commence today, March 22, 2025, promising cricket enthusiasts a thrilling display of talent and competition. The tournament features ten teams competing across 74 matches, culminating in the final at Kolkata's iconic Eden Gardens on May 25, 2025.

Opening Match:

The season opener will witness defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) facing Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

Tournament Format:

The ten teams are divided into two groups, with each team playing 14 matches in the group stage. The top four teams will advance to the playoffs, leading up to the grand finale.

Teams and Captains:

Chennai Super Kings (CSK): Led by Ruturaj Gaikwad
Delhi Capitals (DC): Captained by Axar Patel
Gujarat Titans (GT): Under the leadership of Shubman Gill
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR): Skippered by Ajinkya Rahane
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG): Led by Rishabh Pant
Mumbai Indians (MI): Captained by Hardik Pandya
Punjab Kings (PBKS): Under the leadership of Shreyas Iyer
Rajasthan Royals (RR): Skippered by Sanju Samson
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB): Led by Rajat Patidar
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH): Captained by Pat Cummins

Players to Watch:

• Rishabh Pant (LSG): The most expensive player in this season's auction, secured for ₹27 crore.

• Shreyas Iyer (PBKS): Acquired for ₹26.75 crore, Iyer's consistent performance and leadership will be crucial for Punjab Kings.

• Venkatesh Iyer (KKR): Secured for ₹23.75 crore, his all-round abilities make him a valuable asset for Kolkata Knight Riders.

• Jos Buttler (GT): Acquired for ₹15.75 crore, Buttler's explosive batting will be pivotal for Gujarat Titans.

• Vaibhav Suryavanshi (RR): At just 13 years old, Suryavanshi is set to become the youngest player in IPL history, bringing youthful exuberance to Rajasthan Royals.

• Robin Minz (MI): Dubbed "the next Dhoni," Minz's wicketkeeping skills and batting prowess make him a player to watch this season.

• Jake Fraser-McGurk (DC): After a stellar previous season, all eyes are on Fraser-McGurk to replicate his success.

• Shubman Gill (GT): Leading Gujarat Titans, Gill's form will be instrumental in guiding his team to success.

• Hardik Pandya (MI): Returning as captain of Mumbai Indians, Pandya's all-round performance will be crucial for the team's prospects.

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Notable Absences:

• Jasprit Bumrah (MI): The ace pacer will miss the start of the season due to a lower-back injury.

• Hardik Pandya (MI): Serving a one-match suspension for a slow over-rate infraction from the previous season, Pandya will be unavailable for the opening match.

• Harry Brook (DC): Brook's controversial pull-out has led to a new rule that could see players banned for three seasons if they withdraw for non-injury reasons.

• KL Rahul (DC): Expected to miss the first two matches as media reports suggest he prepares to welcome his first child with his wife, Athiya Shetty.
  
  

Venues:

Matches will be held across various cities, including Kolkata, Hyderabad, Chennai, Visakhapatnam, Ahmedabad, Guwahati, Mumbai, Lucknow, Bengaluru, New Chandigarh, Jaipur, and Delhi.

Broadcast and Live Streaming:

Fans can catch the live action on Star Sports Network (Television) and stream matches on JioHotstar.

As the IPL 2025 unfolds, cricket enthusiasts worldwide can anticipate thrilling matches, stellar performances, and unforgettable moments.

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