Starting on March 22, 2025, the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 marks the 18th season of this globally watched T20 cricket extravaganza. The 65-day tournament would finish with the last game on May 25, 2025, at the legendary Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
Tournament Structure and Teams
The IPL 2025 features ten teams, each representing different cities across India. These teams are divided into two groups:
Group A:
- Mumbai Indians
- Kolkata Knight Riders
- Rajasthan Royals
- Delhi Capitals
- Lucknow Super Giants
Group B:
- Chennai Super Kings
- Sunrisers Hyderabad
- Gujarat Titans
- Royal Challengers Bengaluru
- Punjab Kings
Every team will play 14 matches in the group stage, facing the other teams in their group and choosing one from the other group. Based on points, the top four teams will move forward to the playoffs and comprise Qualifier 1, Eliminator, Qualifier 2, and the Final.
Key Dates and Match Schedule
- Opening Match: The tournament kicks off with a high-voltage clash between the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, on March 22, 2025.
- Playoffs and Final: The playoffs are scheduled as follows:
- Qualifier 1: May 20, 2025, at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad.
- Eliminator: May 21, 2025, at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad.
- Qualifier 2: May 23, 2025, at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
- Final: May 25, 2025, at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
For a comprehensive match schedule, including dates, venues, and match timings, fans can refer to the official IPL website.
Match Timings
Matches are scheduled in two primary time slots to accommodate various audiences:
- Afternoon Matches: Start at 3:30 PM IST.
- Evening Matches: Start at 7:30 PM IST.
Given the time difference, viewers in the United States can catch the matches at the following times:
- Afternoon Matches: 6:00 AM EDT / 3:00 AM PDT.
- Evening Matches: 10:00 AM EDT / 7:00 AM PDT.
Where in the US should one watch IPL 2025?
American cricket fans have many choices to view the live action of IPL 2025:
- Willow TV provides live coverage of all games and is the sole provider of IPL matches from the United States.
- Starting from $10 per month, customers may watch Willow TV via Sling TV’s packages, which include Desi Binge Plus or Dakshin Flex.
- Using the ‘Willow on Fubo TV’ app, fans may stream games, therefore offering an other venue for live IPL activity.
To watch IPL 2025 live on Sling TV:
Visit the Sling app’s homepage and type “Willow HD” in the search field. To view the live match, Click the channel logo and choose “Watch Now”.
Prominent Player Transfers and Team Notes
There have been notable player movements in the 2025 season, which lends mystery to the competition:
- Acquired by Lucknow Super Giants for about ₹27 crore, Rishabh Pant is among the most costly players this season.
- Inspired by Punjab Kings’ batting line, moved for ₹26.75 crore.
- The English wicketkeeper-batsman joined Gujarat Titans for $1.81 million, the biggest pay for a foreign player this season.
Conclusion
Teams like Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings, and Kolkata Knight Riders hoping to add to their famous history promise a mix of seasoned veterans and developing stars in the IPL 2025. Franchise including Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Punjab Kings, Delhi Capitals, and Lucknow Super Giants are keen to win their first crowns.