Eden Gardens: The Grand Stage of IPL 2025
Eden Gardens, the iconic home ground of the 2024 IPL champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), is set to be the epicenter of the IPL 2025, hosting both the opening match on March 22 and the grand finale on May 25. An additional crackerjack event, Qualifier 2, will take place at this historic venue on May 23. This will mark the first IPL final in Kolkata in a decade, a rare treat for the passionate cricket fans of the city. Eden Gardens has previously hosted the 2013 and 2015 title matches, each time delivering an unforgettable spectacle of cricketing brilliance. The stadium’s storied history and the fervent atmosphere it creates promise to elevate the drama and excitement of the 2025 tournament.
Highlights of the IPL 2025 Schedule
The IPL 2025 will span 65 days, featuring 74 matches, including 12 double-headers. The tournament kicks off with a thrilling evening clash between the Kolkata Knight Riders and the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on March 22. The following day, March 23, will be a double-header Sunday, with the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) taking on the Rajasthan Royals in the afternoon, followed by the highly anticipated battle between the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and the Mumbai Indians (MI)—two five-time champions with a storied rivalry. This lineup ensures that the tournament starts with a bang, setting the stage for a season filled with high-octane cricket and intense competition.
Day Matches and Team Schedules
To cater to a broader audience, the IPL 2025 will see a strategic distribution of day matches. The Rajasthan Royals, Delhi Capitals, Lucknow Super Giants, and Gujarat Titans will each play three afternoon matches, while the remaining seven teams will have two day matches each. The afternoon matches, which began at 3:30 pm IST last year, continue to offer a unique viewing experience, especially for those who prefer the brighter daylight and a more relaxed atmosphere. This scheduling not only balances the physical demands on the players but also ensures that fans across different time zones can enjoy the action.
Venues and Home Grounds
The IPL 2025 will be spread across 13 venues, including the primary home bases of each of the 10 teams. Guwahati, Visakhapatnam, and Dharamsala will serve as additional home grounds for the Rajasthan Royals, Delhi Capitals, and Punjab Kings, respectively. Guwahati and Visakhapatnam will each host two matches, while Dharamsala will see three matches, including one each against the Capitals, Mumbai Indians, and Lucknow Super Giants. This extra game at Dharamsala means that Punjab will have a stretch of three consecutive home matches, a rare advantage in the intensely competitive IPL. The careful selection of venues ensures that no team will face more than two consecutive away matches, balancing the travel and rest requirements of the teams.
Group Stage and Match-Ups
The teams have been divided into two groups for the 2025 season, maintaining the format that has been in place since the IPL expanded to 10 teams in 2022. Group 1 includes KKR, RCB, Rajasthan Royals, CSK, and Punjab, while Group 2 comprises SRH, Delhi Capitals, Gujarat Titans, Mumbai Indians, and Lucknow Super Giants. Teams will play each other in their group twice and one team from the opposite group twice, determined by seeding. For example, CSK and Mumbai, despite being in different groups, will meet twice—first on March 23 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium and again on April 20 at the Wankhede Stadium. This structure ensures a balanced and competitive league stage, with each team facing a mix of familiar and new challenges.
Key Matches and Scheduling Challenges
Several teams will start their campaigns on the road, with RCB, Mumbai, Punjab, and LSG all playing their opening matches away. However, this early travel will be followed by sustained home stretches, particularly for RCB, who will end their league stage with four of their last six matches at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. This scheduling mirrors RCB’s remarkable turnaround last year, where they secured a playoff spot with six consecutive wins after a slow start. The strategic placement of home games can provide a significant boost, especially in the latter stages of the tournament, when the pressure and stakes are at their highest. The carefully planned schedule aims to keep the competition fair and exciting, ensuring that all teams have the opportunity to shine on the grand stage of IPL 2025.
