IPL 2025 to begin on March 21 in Kolkata: Report

The IPL 2025 is scheduled to begin on March 21, with Eden Gardens hosting both the tournament opener and the final on May 25

As per a report by ESPNcricinfo, the WPL 2025 will take place from February 7 to March 2. In an unprecedented move ahead of the mega auction in November, the IPL shared the windows for the next three seasons (2025-27) with the franchises. For 2025, the window was set between March 15 and May 25.

However, to accommodate the Champions Trophy final, scheduled for March 9, the IPL decided to keep a close to two-week gap and set the start date for March 21. The full IPL schedule is expected to be released later this month.

As usual, the defending champions’ home venue will host both the opener and the final, which this year will be Eden Gardens, the home ground of Kolkata Knight Riders, who won the IPL 2024.

The 2025 season will feature 74 matches, the same as the previous three seasons. However, this is ten fewer than the 84 matches originally listed in the IPL’s 2022 media rights tender for the 2023-27 cycle.

The tender mentioned varying match numbers per season: 74 games for 2023 and 2024, 84 games for 2025 and 2026, and up to 94 games for 2027.

For the 2025 WPL, the BCCI has decided to introduce two new venues, alongside Mumbai and Bengaluru. The league will also be held in Baroda and Lucknow this year.

The specific number of matches at each venue is yet to be confirmed, as the WPL schedule is yet to be announced.

Iyer to lead Punjab Kings: Punjab Kings have named Shreyas Iyer as captain for the IPL 2025 season.

In an unparalleled move, the announcement was made by Bollywood superstar Salman Khan on the reality TV show ‘Bigg Boss’ on Sunday.

Iyer, Shashank Singh and Yuzvendra Chahal were present on the sets of the show with Salman to make it more exciting for the fans. The 30-year-old expressed gratitude to the Punjab Kings management and vowed to repay the faith.

“I am honoured that the team has reposed its faith in me. I am looking forward to working again with Coach Ponting. The team looks strong, with a great mix of potential and proven performers. I hope to repay the faith shown by the management to deliver our maiden title,” Iyer said.

Head coach Ricky Ponting said, “Shreyas has a great mind for the game. His proven capabilities as captain will enable the team to deliver. I have enjoyed my time with Iyer in the past in IPL, and I look forward to working with him again. With his leadership and the talent in the squad, I am excited about the seasons ahead.”

Punjab Kings CEO Satish Menon added, “We had identified Shreyas as our captain and were delighted with the auction result. He has already proven himself to master the format, and his vision for the team aligns perfectly with our goals. With him and Ponting joining hands again, we are confident our team has a solid leadership group to guide us to our first title.”

In 2024, Iyer had a banner year. He was part of the Mumbai team that won the Ranji and Irani trophy. He captained Kolkata Knight Riders in their victorious 2024 IPL campaign. Under his leadership, Mumbai won their second Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

Indo-Asian News Service