[Indian Premier League] IPL 2025 was underway from 22 March 2025 with the start of its 18th season. The day was marked with a grand opening ceremony in Eden Gardens, Kolkata, and an interesting match between defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).
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Opening Ceremony Highlights
The opening ceremony of Eden Gardens set the celebratory tone for the season. The ceremony was attended by performances from top artists, merging cultural aspects with contemporary entertainment. The ceremony was brought to a close with a grand fireworks display, signaling the start of the tournament.
Match 1: Kolkata Knight Riders vs. Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Following the ceremony, KKR faced RCB in the season opener. RCB secured a seven-wicket victory, successfully chasing a target of 175 runs.
Match Summary:
- Kolkata Knight Riders Innings:
- Total: 174/8 in 20 overs
- Top Performers:
- Ajinkya Rahane: 56 runs off 31 balls
- Sunil Narine: 44 runs
- Notable Bowling (RCB):
- Josh Hazlewood: 2 wickets for 22 runs
- Royal Challengers Bengaluru Innings:
- Total: 175/3 in 16.2 overs
- Top Performers:
- Virat Kohli: Unbeaten 59 runs
- Phil Salt: 56 runs
- Rajat Patidar: 34 runs
The match highlighted RCB’s strong batting lineup and effective bowling strategy, setting a positive tone for their campaign.
Additional Matches on Day 1
The first day also saw other games, one of which was a high-scoring game between Delhi Capitals (DC) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). LSG’s Mitchell Marsh played a dazzling inning of 72 runs off 36 balls. DC managed to chase down the target of 209 runs despite his show.
Broadcast and Streaming Information
Fans worldwide can watch IPL 2025 matches through various services:
- India: Star Sports and Disney Plus Hotstar
- United States: Willow TV and Sling
- United Kingdom: Sky Sports
- Australia: Fox Sports and Kayo Sports
- Pakistan: Tapmad
Conclusion
The opening day of IPL 2025 provided edge-of-the-seat cricket, and the platform is all set now for a nail-biting season ahead. The audience has in store more exciting performances as teams battle for the highly sought-after title.