Reports: IPL 2025: Kolkata Knight Riders to take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru in opener

As per reports, the 2025 edition of the Indian Premier League will get underway with Kolkata Knight Riders squaring off against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Eden Gardens on Saturday, March 22. As per the tradition like how it has been followed since the past 17 editions, the first game will be hosted by the reigning champions (KKR) at their home venue (Eden Gardens). 

KKR were the champions of IPL 2024. They emerged victorious by a comprehensive margin of eight wickets with 57 deliveries to spare in what was a one-sided contest played in Chennai. Excluding the two out of KKR's 14 group-stage fixtures, they won nine games, accumulating a total of 20 points ultimately. They also possessed an impressive net run rate of +1.428.

The three-time IPL winners will as per the same report by Cricbuzz, be taking on RCB, who announced their new skipper Rajat Patidar on Thursday. They would be hoping for their fortunes to reverse after enjoying a decent run in the marquee league. Including the previous season, they have reached the playoffs four times in the past five editions, but to no avail. They would be hoping a change in captaincy and a few does the trick for them this time.

According to the same report, the runners-up from last year, Sunrisers Hyderabad will get to get their campaign started at home. An afternoon game against Rajasthan Royals is reported to be played at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Uppal on Sunday, March 23. The Board of Control for Cricket in India has still not officially announced the entire schedule. The administrative body is understood to have shared the dates of the key fixtures with the franchises.

Also Read: IPL 2025: Rajat Patidar named RCB captain as Virat Kohli declines

The entire timetable is expected to come out in a day or two. The upcoming edition's games will be played in Guwahati and Dharamsala too, apart from the 10 regular venues, namely Kolkata, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Delhi, Jaipur, Lucknow, Hyderabad, and Mullanpur. The Royals seem to have opted for Guwahati being their second venue. Like the previous year, Dharamsala is understood to host two of Punjab Kings' home games too. As previously announced, the Qualifier 1 and Eliminator will be held in Hyderabad and Qualifier 2 and the final to be held in Kolkata.