The excitement is palpable as the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 gears up to kick off on March 22 with a highly anticipated clash between defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and the star-studded Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Spread over 13 grounds, this 18th season of the IPL will be eight weeks of cricketing excellence ending on May 25. A total of 74 games, including the playoffs, are scheduled and spectators can look forward to a fierce fight between Mumbai Indians (MI) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to win a record sixth title.
IPL official broadcaster Star Sports has launched a star-studded panel of commentators and hosts to offer exhaustive coverage in several languages. The team combines legendary cricketers, expert commentators, and iconic voices from around the world, guaranteeing an exciting experience for the audience.
The National Feed will be blessed by the presence of icons such as Sunil Gavaskar, Navjot Singh Sidhu, Virender Sehwag, Harbhajan Singh, Shikhar Dhawan, Anil Kumble, and Suresh Raina. In addition to them, international greats such as Michael Clarke, Matthew Hayden, Shane Watson, Aaron Finch, and Kane Williamson will contribute their views, thereby making it a star-studded commentary panel.
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In the meantime, the World Feed has top names like Harsha Bhogle, Simon Doull, Ian Bishop, Eoin Morgan, Graeme Swann, Danny Morrison, Mpumelele Mbangwa, and Alan Wilkins. The addition of veteran campaigners Ravi Shastri, AB de Villiers, and Matthew Hayden provides additional insight. Female commentators Katey Martin, Natalie Germanos, and Anjum Chopra will provide a new angle to the tournament.
The voices behind the most ‘𝙋𝙤𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙗𝙡𝙚’ IPL ever! 🎙🔥
18th birthday of the #IndianPossibleLeague deserves a Starcast as electrifying! as the season itself!IPL legends, World Cup winners & expert analyst, this Starcast will bring you every twist, tactic & impossible… pic.twitter.com/SSyiuTpvwv
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) March 21, 2025
The format of the tournament will involve grouping teams into two groups and each playing two teams within their own group twice as well as those from the opposite group once with the exception of one cross-group rival. To illustrate, the top-seeded Group A team CSK will meet Mumbai Indians twice from Group B. The structure of play has every match carrying considerable value to the fight for playoff spots.
Group A includes Chennai Super Kings, Kolkata Knight Riders, Rajasthan Royals, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and Punjab Kings. Group B includes Mumbai Indians, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Gujarat Titans, Delhi Capitals, and Lucknow Super Giants.
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In a significant twist, two new regulations have been brought in this season. The saliva prohibition, brought in because of COVID-19, has been removed, while the employment of two balls to counter the effect of dew during evening matches will introduce a fresh strategic element to games.
As the inaugural ball of IPL 2025 is set to be bowled, the excitement is building. With the crème de la crème of cricketers set to put on a show and an elite team of commentators set to bring the game alive, this season of the IPL will be a one-of-a-kind experience for viewers everywhere.
