The IPL 2025 is expected to begin on March 22 with a match between championship holders Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bengaluru at Eden Gardens, which will also host this year’s final on May 25. According to the PTI, Dharamsala and Guwahati will host a few IPL matches this year as too.

Dharamsala will be Punjab Kings’ second home venue after Mullanpur, and Rajasthan Royals will base themselves in the North Eastern city in addition to their regular location, Jaipur. The BCCI has yet to issue the schedule, but it is likely that the governing body will announce the complete list of venues and matches early next week.

Punjab hosted Chennai Super Kings and RCB in the IPL 2024, but lost both matches. However, this year, the stunning venue may host an additional match. Last year, the Royals played PBKS and KKR in Guwahati; they lost to Punjab, while the match against the Knight Riders was a washout.

Super Kings, led by Ruturaj Gaikwad, will commence their IPL 2025 campaign on March 23 at their home venue, MA Chidambaram Stadium, against the Hardik Pandya-led Mumbai Indians, who have won five league titles.

While CSK and MI have decided on their captains, Kolkata has yet to choose one after IPL-winning skipper Shreyas Iyer joined PBKS following the blockbuster auction.

Rajat Patidar has taken over as captain of the Royal Challengers, succeeding Faf du Plessis.