Key Highlights
- Season 18 launches on 22 March 2025 with KKR vs RCB at Eden Gardens.
- Ten franchises are split into two groups of five, each playing 14 league matches.
- Playoff schedule: Qualifier 1 (20 May, Hyderabad), Eliminator (21 May, Hyderabad), Qualifier 2 (23 May, Kolkata), Final (25 May, Kolkata).
- The full 74‑match calendar covers venues from Kolkata to Dharamsala.
Detailed Insights
The Board of Control for Cricket in India confirmed that the 2025 edition will commence on 22 March, marking the eighteenth iteration of the Indian Premier League. The opening encounter pits the defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
Following the opener, the schedule alternates between Group A and Group B teams, ensuring each franchise faces its intra‑group rivals twice, a designated cross‑group opponent twice, and the remaining cross‑group sides once, totalling 14 league fixtures per side. Matches are spread across 18 venues, with night fixtures beginning at 7:30 PM IST and a few afternoon games at 3:30 PM IST.
Both groups are composed as follows: Group A – Chennai Super Kings, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Rajasthan Royals, Punjab Kings, Kolkata Knight Riders; Group B – Mumbai Indians, Gujarat Titans, Delhi Capitals, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Lucknow Super Giants. The league stage culminates in a four‑team playoff system, mirroring the previous season’s format.
Playoff chronology: Qualifier 1 (rank 1 vs rank 2) on 20 May in Hyderabad; Eliminator (rank 3 vs rank 4) on 21 May in Hyderabad; Qualifier 2 (loser of Q1 vs winner of Eliminator) on 23 May in Kolkata; and the Grand Final on 25 May in Kolkata.
Key Concepts
- Group Stage Allocation: Distribution of ten teams into two clusters of five, dictating the double‑round‑robin and cross‑group fixtures.
- Net Run Rate (NRR): Statistical measure used to rank teams level on points, calculated as (runs scored per over) – (runs conceded per over).
- Qualifier‑1 & Qualifier‑2: Playoff matches that give the top‑two league finishers a second chance to reach the final.
- Eliminator: Knock‑out match where the loser exits the tournament.