IPL 2025: Why will Mumbai Indians face Royal Challengers Bengaluru only once in tournament?

The 18th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) got off to an electrifying start on March 22, promising another year of thrilling T20 cricket action. With May 25 being the final date of the tournament, the fans have already been treated to some hard-fought contests, high-pressure finishes, and some exceptional performances.

The season's opening match featured defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) hosting Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the historic Eden Gardens. The encounter lived up to its hype, producing a houseful of spectators and a game replete with drama and big moments. KKR opened their campaign in full guns blazing mode, looking to establish their dominance right at the start of the tournament, while RCB, seeking their first-ever title, were equally keen to make a good beginning.

The pyrotechnics spilled over to the second day in Chennai as IPL powerhouses Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings, both five-time title winners, clashed in what's universally regarded as the "El Clasico" of the IPL. The fans were treated to an old-fashioned but intensely competitive contest as these two titans rekindled their classic rivalry at Chepauk.

Also Read: IPL 2025: MI vs RCB Match 20 - Who will be Impact Players for today's match?

Why will both franchises face each other only once in IPL 2025?

To ensure that there are a total of only 74 matches in the tournament, the BCCI has not yet opted to adopt a double round-robin system as the IPL expanded to 10 teams in 2022. In the existing system, one team plays five teams twice and four teams once, two home and two away. Each of the ten teams is divided into two groups by the BCCI, and each team plays every team in its group twice. Each franchise only gets to play the other four teams in the other group once.

RCB and CSK will once again spice up their fiery rivalry on March 28 and May 3, among others in the notable days of the 2025 IPL. KKR and RCB will also feature in the last league stage match on May 17. The first qualifier and eliminator will take place at Hyderabad's Rajiv Gandhi Stadium on May 20 and 21, before Kolkata staging the second qualifier and final on May 23 and 25, respectively.