Fri Mar 21 21:30:00 UTC 2025: ## IPL 2025: New Season Begins with Familiar Rivalry, New Captains, and High Expectations
**Kolkata, March 22, 2025** – The Indian Premier League (IPL) is back for its 18th season, kicking off today with a clash between defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bangalore at Eden Gardens. The season, spanning 65 days, promises to be another thrilling spectacle, featuring 69 league matches followed by four playoff rounds culminating in a final on May 25th at the same venue.
This year marks the first time since 2008 that the opening match will feature these two teams. The league boasts ten teams, battling it out for the coveted title. The opening ceremony, featuring musical performances by Shreya Ghoshal, Karan Aujla, and Disha Patani, is set to add to the excitement, although there are concerns about potential rain delays.
**Key highlights of the season include:**
* **Record-breaking scores:** With eight scores exceeding 250 in the previous season, and a highest ever team score of 287, expectations are high for even higher scores this year, potentially exceeding 300 for the first time.
* **Veteran players return:** Nine players who participated in the inaugural IPL in 2008 are back in action this year, including stalwarts like MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma. Kohli is the only one to have played for the same team throughout. The return of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to T20 cricket after their international retirement adds another layer of anticipation.
* **New captains:** Five teams have new captains this season: Axar Patel (Delhi Capitals), Rishabh Pant (Lucknow Super Giants), Shreyas Iyer (Punjab Kings), Ajinkya Rahane (Kolkata Knight Riders), and Rajat Patidar (Royal Challengers Bangalore). Pant, bought for a record ₹27 crore in the auction, faces heightened scrutiny both as a player and captain.
* **MS Dhoni’s future:** The question of whether this is MS Dhoni’s last IPL season remains a topic of much discussion. While Dhoni insists he isn’t retiring, his batting contributions have dwindled significantly in recent years.
* **Rule changes:** This season sees some rule changes, including the re-introduction of saliva for ball-shining, and the use of Hawk-Eye for determining wides during DRS. Penalties for slow over rates have been changed from fines and suspensions to demerit points. A new rule allows the fielding captain to request a ball change after the 10th over of the second innings in night matches if the ball is deemed affected by dew.
* **Venues and group stage:** Matches will be held across 13 venues, with some teams playing home matches in multiple cities. Teams have been divided into two groups based on last year’s performance.
The IPL 2025 promises a season of intense competition, exciting matches, and plenty of drama. The world watches with bated breath.
First Piper 