Thu Mar 20 01:23:35 UTC 2025: ## IPL 2025: Kolkata Knight Riders to Defend Title in Lucrative T20 Tournament
**Kolkata, India** – The Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to return for its 18th season on March 22nd, with the Kolkata Knight Riders defending their title against the Royal Challengers Bangalore at Eden Gardens. The two-month tournament, concluding May 25th in Kolkata, features ten teams competing for the championship in the world’s most lucrative franchise T20 cricket league.
This year’s IPL will see a return to a home-and-away format, with each team playing every other team twice. Matches will be played across ten home grounds and three neutral venues. The day matches will begin at 3:30 PM IST (10:00 GMT), and night matches at 7:30 PM IST (14:00 GMT).
The tournament will utilize a revised playoff structure. The top two teams will directly qualify for the first qualifier, while the third and fourth-placed teams will compete in an eliminator. The winner of the eliminator will then face the loser of the first qualifier in a second qualifier for the final berth.
This season boasts several new team captains and record-breaking player acquisitions. Rishabh Pant, the most expensive player at the November auction, will lead the Lucknow Super Giants after being purchased for $3.2 million. Shreyas Iyer, acquired by Punjab for $3.17 million, was initially the highest-paid player before Pant’s acquisition. Jos Buttler, the former England captain, was the most expensive foreign player, signed by Gujarat for $1.8 million.
The IPL’s rich history includes multiple past champions: Chennai Super Kings (2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, 2023), Mumbai Indians (2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2020), Kolkata Knight Riders (2012, 2014, 2024), Rajasthan Royals (2008), Sunrisers Hyderabad (2016), Gujarat Titans (2022), and Deccan Chargers (2009). This year promises another exciting season of high-stakes cricket.
First Piper 