With the increase in thirst for the IPL 2025 schedule, a report confirmed that defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders will face Royal Challengers Bengaluru on March 22 to play the opening game of the IPL 2025.

The 18th edition of the Indian Premier League will be played between 22 March and 25 May in India. As expected this year’s season will also witness the defending champions hosting the first game of the new season.

As of last season, IPL teams will be categorised into two groups of five teams where a total of 70 group matches will be played before the playoff round. The IPL 2025 will follow a Group stage and Playoffs format with the top four teams in the IPL 2025 points table advancing to the playoffs round.

The report added that BCCI is yet to reveal the full schedule for the tournament but has provided the 10 franchises with some ‘key dates’. These include the date for the final — which will also be held at the Eden Gardens on Sunday, May 25.

Both KKR and RCB will kick-start the 2025 season under new captains. Royal Challengers Bengaluru have named Rajat Patidar as their new captain while Venkatesh Iyer is expected to lead the Kolkata-based team.

The second match of the season will be played between Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Uppal on March 23.

The report further added that apart from the usual home venues of each franchise, matches will also be held in Guwahati and Dharamsala, which are the second homes of Rajasthan Royals and Punjab Kings respectively.

The IPL 2025 schedule is expected to be released in the final week of this month. Right before the tournament, as expected, the IPL 2025 withdrawal players list starts to fill while the respective team will name the replacement players for the IPL 2025 season.