Kolkata Knight Riders To Play First Match Of IPL 2025? Here's How

Abhinav Tyagi

KKR -(Source:@Johns/X.com)KKR -(Source:@Johns/X.com)

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The preparations for IPL 2025 are in full swing, and the fans can't contain their excitement for the new season to start. The auctions are done, and all ten teams have completed their squad. 

Earlier, there were reports that the BCCI is set to extend the IPL window by a few days, and now the cash-studded league is likely to start from March 14 and May 25. Now, the fans await the schedule and which two teams will lock horns against each other in the season's opener. 

It is worth noting that Kolkata Knight Riders, who are the defending champions, are likely to play the season opener. Generally, the trend suggests that the defending champions are the ones who get the play the first match. Thus, it is likely that KKR would be the one to kick off the proceedings of IPL 2025. 

KKR vs SRH To Play The First Match

Another general trend seen in IPL is that the two finalists of last year are the ones who play the curtain raiser games of the upcoming season. Like how CSK and KKR played the first game of IPL 2022, KKR and SRH can play the first match of IPL 2025 at Eden Gardens. 

Across other sports as well, it has happened that the fixtures are made such that the two finalists face each other in season opener. Here is the list of times that two finalists have played the first match in an IPL season. 

Team 1
Team 2
Year
SRHRCB2017
MICSK2020
CSKKKR2022

KKR And RCB To Play The First Match

If we analyse the general trend of the first game of the IPL season, then if the above two patterns have not been followed, usually, RCB lock horns against a big team in the season's opener. 

In IPL 2024, RCB took on CSK, despite the former neither won a trophy nor reached the finals. Thus, KKR and RCB can also be the ones to kickstart proceedings in IPL 2025.