The 18th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) will begin on March 21 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, a week later than earlier announced, and the final will be on May 25 at the same venue, according to reports.
This is after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) changed the schedule from the earlier announced March 14 to May 25, 2025. The BCCI had proposed the earlier dates before the IPL auction in Jeddah last year. But now it seems those were the reserved dates for the season and not the actual dates for 2025.
Also, the change is said to be linked to the Champions Trophy final on March 9 and broadcasters wanted a later start to avoid clash with the international event. But broadcasting sources have denied making any such request.
As per tradition, the Kolkata Knight Riders, the IPL 2024 champions, will host the opener and the final at the Eden Gardens. The Sunrisers Hyderabad, the runners up of last season, will host two playoff games.
The BCCI will release the full schedule soon after Devjit Saikia is elected as secretary and Prabhtej Singh Bhatia as treasurer in the Special General Meeting in Mumbai on January 12.
