Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 is around the corner and fans are eagerly waiting for the biggest cricketing drama which is set to start from March 22. Defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the IPL 2025's opener at the iconic Eden Gardens. The 10-team glitzy league will eventually conclude with its summit clash on May 25.
Stage set for CSK vs MI's super showdown in IPL 2025
But the second day of the IPL 2025 will witness two giants locking horns with each other when five-time Champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will be up against another five-time IPL title winners Mumbai Indians on March 23, as per ESPNcricinfo. The El-Clasico clash between CSK and MI will be followed by another match which will see Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Rajasthan Royals battling out with each other.
But fans' eyes will be hooked on the high-octane CSK versus MI clash as their rivalry is one of the most exciting in the IPL, and this year's encounter promises to be no different. Both teams share the record for most IPL titles, having won five teams each.
The IPL 2025, following the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, will be held across 12 venues in India. In addition to the ten traditional IPL centers (Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Lucknow, Mullanpur, Delhi, Jaipur, Kolkata, and Hyderabad), Guwahati and Dharamsala will also host matches as secondary venues for Rajasthan Royals and Punjab Kings, respectively.
The opening match will feature two teams with new captains at the helm. Royal Challengers Bengaluru has appointed Rajat Patidar as their captain, while Kolkata Knight Riders are yet to announce their new leader after parting ways with Shreyas Iyer.
Historically, Kolkata Knight Riders have dominated their encounters with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, winning eight of their twelve matches played at Eden Gardens. KKR enters the tournament as the defending champions, having secured a dominant victory in the previous edition of the IPL.
Shreyas Iyer has joined Punjab Kings and will be working under their newly appointed head coach, Ricky Ponting. This reunion brings together a pair who previously collaborated at Delhi Capitals, where their partnership led the franchise to their first IPL final appearance in 2019.
Punjab Kings will play three of their home games in Dharamsala, one more than their usual two at the scenic Himachal Pradesh venue. The remaining four home matches will be held in Mullanpur, Punjab. Reportedly, Hyderabad's Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium will host Qualifier 1 and the Eliminator. Kolkata's Eden Gardens is slated to host Qualifier 2 and the IPL 2025 final.