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The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 promises to be an exhilarating season for cricket fans worldwide. Scheduled to kick off on Saturday, March 22, the opening game features Kolkata Knight Riders against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the renowned Eden Gardens. The tournament is expected to include 70 league matches and culminate with four playoff games, ending with the grand finale on Sunday, May 25.

Group Divisions and Tournament Structure

The IPL 2025 has organized the participating teams into two groups. Group 1 consists of Kolkata Knight Riders, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Rajasthan Royals, Chennai Super Kings, and Punjab Kings. Group 2 features Sunrisers Hyderabad, Delhi Capitals, Gujarat Titans, Mumbai Indians, and Lucknow Super Giants. This structure ensures a competitive and thrilling series as teams vie for a spot in the playoffs.

Record-setting Mega Auction

This season’s IPL Mega Auction set several records, notably with Shreyas Iyer selling for ₹26.75 crore to Punjab and Rishabh Pant for ₹27 crore to Lucknow. These transactions highlight the teams’ strategic planning and investments aimed at strengthening their squads for the 2025 season.

Venues and Attendance

The Narendra Modi Stadium is set to be the largest venue, boasting a capacity of 132,000, potentially enhancing the match-day atmosphere greatly. Last year’s IPL attracted over 3 million attendees, with an impressive average of over 40,000 attendees per game, indicating the tournament’s massive appeal.

Key Players and Coaches

Fans can expect to see veteran players like Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli continuing to grace the field. Among the coaching ranks, Stephen Fleming will lead Chennai Super Kings, while Justin Langer heads Lucknow Super Giants, adding to the strategic depth of the tournament.

Broadcasting and Streaming

For fans unable to attend the matches in person, IPL 2025 will be broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK and Willow TV in the U.S. Streaming options include platforms like NOW and Fubo, with Fubo offering a package that includes Willow TV for $101.99.

Previous Champions and Historical Context

Historically, Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians are the most successful teams, each with five IPL titles. Meanwhile, Punjab Kings, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Delhi Capitals, and Lucknow Super Giants are yet to secure an IPL championship. With the tournament’s brand value estimated at $12 billion, the IPL stands as the most significant T20 franchise competition globally.

In conclusion, IPL 2025 is set to deliver excitement, high spending, and unparalleled cricketing action, further cementing its reputation as a premier global sporting event.

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