IPL 2025: Talking points and all you need to know – captains, schedule, prize money, new rules | Cricket News

IPL 2025 captains during a photo shoot.

New season, new captains, and fresh rules — but the spectacle remains just as grand as ever as the 18th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) begins tonight. The action gets underway with defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders locking horns with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, long labelled as perennial underachievers, all under the looming threat of inclement weather.
There’s no shortage of intrigue this season.
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NEW CAPTAINS
Seven franchises will kick off IPL 2025 with new captains, though some appointments are temporary stop-gaps due to injuries or other circumstances.
Perhaps the most surprising among them is Rajat Patidar, who, despite not having played a T20I yet, will lead Royal Challengers Bengaluru — a team that features none other than Virat Kohli.
Axar Patel will captain Delhi Capitals, leading a squad that includes KL Rahul, who is keen to bounce back after a turbulent stint with Lucknow Super Giants in 2024.
Shreyas Iyer, who led KKR to the title last year, has now taken over the reins at Punjab Kings, while Ajinkya Rahane replaces him as the KKR skipper.
Rajasthan Royals will start their season under interim captain Riyan Parag, as regular captain Sanju Samson continues his recovery from a lingering finger injury.
For Mumbai Indians, Suryakumar Yadav will step in as captain in their opening away clash against Chennai Super Kings on Sunday, with Hardik Pandya sitting out due to a suspension stemming from an over-rate violation last season.
NEW RULES

One of the most significant rule changes sees the return of saliva use to shine the ball — a practice banned during the COVID-19 pandemic. For the first time in four years, bowlers will once again legally use saliva, thanks to a landmark decision taken after IPL captains voted in favour of lifting the ban at a recent meeting in Mumbai.
Interestingly, while the International Cricket Council (ICC) made the ban permanent in 2022, the IPL — operating under its own set of regulations — has now set a precedent that could influence other tournaments worldwide.
Another innovation to watch out for is aimed at tackling the dew factor, which has long skewed evening matches. From this season, if dew is deemed significant by the on-field umpires, a fresh ball will be introduced at the start of the 11th over during second innings of night matches. This rule will not apply to afternoon fixtures.
Additionally, the Decision Review System (DRS) has been expanded to allow reviews for height and off-side wides, ensuring greater fairness in crucial situations. The controversial Impact Player rule, however, remains in place despite ongoing debate about its influence on game dynamics.
Redemption for Rishabh Pant

All eyes will be on Rishabh Pant as he embarks on a pivotal new chapter in his career. His remarkable return from a near-fatal car accident has already become part of cricketing folklore, but now the challenge lies in reclaiming his spot among India’s T20 elite.
Pant, the most expensive player in IPL history after being snapped up by Lucknow Super Giants for a staggering Rs 27 crore, will be under immense scrutiny. Despite being selected in squads for both the Champions Trophy and a T20I series against England, he didn’t play a single match.
This IPL offers Pant a crucial platform to silence doubters, particularly in the shortest format where he has yet to fully secure his position in the Indian team. His explosive batting and leadership credentials will be tested as he seeks to justify his hefty price tag while sending a clear message to the selectors ahead of major international assignments.
Coaching changes

Off the field, the coaching carousel has seen significant changes. Ricky Ponting has left Delhi Capitals to take over as head coach of Punjab Kings. Hemang Badani fills Ponting’s vacancy at Delhi Capitals, with Kevin Pietersen joining as mentor.
Elsewhere, Rahul Dravid returns to the Rajasthan Royals’ setup as head coach, marking his first IPL coaching assignment since leading India to the T20 World Cup crown last year. CSK stalwart Dwayne Bravo has moved to Kolkata Knight Riders as mentor, replacing Gautam Gambhir, who now serves as India’s head coach.
No Bumrah yet, what happens to MI?

Jasprit Bumrah has been out of action since January, picking up an injury during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

A cloud of uncertainty lingers over Jasprit Bumrah’s participation in the tournament. The ace pacer is currently at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru, undergoing fitness tests to assess his readiness.
Mumbai Indians head coach Mahela Jayawardene remains hopeful but cautious, as Bumrah’s presence is critical not only for MI’s ambitions this season but also for India’s tour of England in June.
One final hurrah for MS Dhoni?

And then there’s the perennial mystery — will this be MS Dhoni’s final IPL season? The 43-year-old, who has been absent from international cricket since his retirement in 2020, continues to captivate fans, appearing solely for CSK during the IPL.
Though he may no longer be the formidable finisher of old, Dhoni’s mere presence galvanises Chennai Super Kings. His tactical nous, field placements, and ability to deliver match-defining cameos make him indispensable to CSK’s campaign.
At the other end of the age spectrum is 13-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi, a batting sensation acquired by Rajasthan Royals, though it remains to be seen how many appearances he will make this season.
What of Rohit, Kohli in T20 return?
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who both retired from T20Is following India’s triumphant World Cup campaign last year, will return to the shortest format via the IPL.
Kohli, fresh from topping the IPL 2024 run charts with 741 runs, continues to be RCB’s fulcrum. Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma, coming off a lean spell, will look to rediscover his touch and inspire Mumbai Indians back to winning ways.
IPL 2025 Schedule: What are the important dates?
The two-month-long IPL will begin on March 22 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata and conclude on May 25 at the same venue.
Day matches will begin at 3:30pm IST (10am GMT) and night matches will get under way at 7:30pm IST (2pm GMT).
League stage: March 22 to May 18
Qualifier 1: May 20, 7:30pm (2pm GMT) at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad
Eliminator: May 21, 7:30pm (2pm GMT) at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad
Qualifier 2: May 23, 7:30pm (2pm GMT) at Eden Gardens, Kolkata
Final: May 25, 7:30pm (2pm GMT) at Eden Gardens, Kolkata
IPL 2025: Who are the captains?

IPL 2025: What are the venues?

IPL 2025: What is the prize money?
Winner: Rs 20 crore
Runner-Up: Rs 13 crore (same as IPL 2024)
Third Place: Rs 7 crore
Fourth Place: Rs 6.5 crore
Individual prize monies
Orange Cap (Most Runs): Rs 15 lakh
Purple Cap (Most Wickets): Rs 15 lakh
Emerging Player Award: Rs 20 lakh
Most Valuable Player (MVP): Rs 12 lakh
IPL: Who are the former champions?