IPL Carnival: The World’s Most Prestigious Cricket League Returns
The 18th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to begin today in Kolkata, bringing two months of high-intensity cricket action. Over the next 65 days, 10 franchises will compete across 74 matches, played in 13 different venues across India, to claim the coveted IPL trophy.
This season sees significant team changes following the mega auction, with new captains, reshuffled squads, and fresh strategies in place. Defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will start their campaign under new captain Ajinkya Rahane, while last season’s winning captain Shreyas Iyer has now moved to lead Punjab Kings (PBKS).
IPL 2025: Team-by-Team Breakdown
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
- Captain: Ajinkya Rahane
- Coach: Chandrakant Pandit
- Best Performance: 3-time champions
- Key Players: Rahane, Quinton de Kock, Rovman Powell, Rinku Singh, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Moeen Ali
- Strengths: Aggressive batting in the powerplay and strong spin attack
- Challenges: Middle-order stability under pressure
Chennai Super Kings (CSK)
- Captain: Ruturaj Gaikwad
- Coach: Stephen Fleming
- Best Performance: 5-time champions
- Key Players: MS Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja, Devon Conway, Shivam Dube, Matheesha Pathirana
- Strengths: Experienced squad and powerful batting lineup
- Challenges: Maintaining consistency in high-pressure matches
Mumbai Indians (MI)
- Captain: Hardik Pandya
- Coach: Mahela Jayawardene
- Best Performance: 5-time champions
- Key Players: Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Will Jacks, Trent Boult
- Strengths: Star-studded top order and deadly pace attack
- Challenges: Improving bowling performance in the powerplay
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
- Captain: Rajat Patidar
- Coach: Andy Flower
- Best Performance: 3-time runner-up
- Key Players: Virat Kohli, Philip Salt, Devdutt Padikkal, Josh Hazlewood, Bhuvneshwar Kumar
- Strengths: Explosive batting lineup with versatile all-rounders
- Challenges: Breaking the title jinx despite strong squads every season
Delhi Capitals (DC)
- Captain: Axar Patel
- Coach: Hemang Badani
- Best Performance: 1-time runner-up
- Key Players: KL Rahul, Faf du Plessis, Mitchell Starc, Kuldeep Yadav
- Strengths: Aggressive top order and experienced bowling attack
- Challenges: Closing matches successfully in pressure situations
Gujarat Titans (GT)
- Captain: Shubman Gill
- Coach: Ashish Nehra
- Best Performance: 1-time champion
- Key Players: Jos Buttler, Rashid Khan, Sai Sudharsan, Mohammed Siraj, Shahrukh Khan
- Strengths: Strong opening pair and solid bowling lineup
- Challenges: Improving middle-order consistency
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)
- Captain: Pat Cummins
- Coach: Daniel Vettori
- Best Performance: 1-time champion
- Key Players: Travis Head, Heinrich Klaasen, Harshal Patel, Adam Zampa, Mohammed Shami
- Strengths: Star-studded top order with powerful hitters
- Challenges: Bowling depth in death overs
Punjab Kings (PBKS)
- Captain: Shreyas Iyer
- Coach: Ricky Ponting
- Best Performance: 1-time runner-up
- Key Players: Jonny Bairstow, Glenn Maxwell, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal, Lockie Ferguson
- Strengths: A well-balanced mix of experienced players and all-rounders
- Challenges: Team coordination and finishing matches strongly
Rajasthan Royals (RR)
- Captain: Sanju Samson
- Coach: Rahul Dravid
- Best Performance: 1-time champion
- Key Players: Jos Buttler, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shimron Hetmyer, Wanindu Hasaranga, Jofra Archer
- Strengths: A solid batting unit with match-winners
- Challenges: Dependence on top-order performance
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)
- Captain: Rishabh Pant
- Coach: Justin Langer
- Best Performance: 2-time playoff qualifiers
- Key Players: David Miller, Aiden Markram, Nicholas Pooran, Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan
- Strengths: Explosive middle order and solid spin attack
- Challenges: Overcoming slow starts and capitalizing on powerplay overs
Opening Match: KKR vs RCB at Eden Gardens
The season opener will witness Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) locking horns with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata at 7:30 PM IST.
This match carries historical significance as the first-ever IPL match in 2008 was also played between these two teams. Kolkata dominated that match, with Brendon McCullum’s legendary 158-run knock setting the tone for the IPL’s success.
However, weather forecasts suggest rain could disrupt the match, adding an element of uncertainty to the much-anticipated clash.
With intense rivalries, new strategies, and star players returning to action, IPL 2025 promises to be one of the most thrilling seasons yet! 🎉🏏