IPL 2025: CSK to face RCB and MI twice in the league stage

The much-anticipated schedule for IPL 2025 is officially out, and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are set to take on their arch-rivals Mumbai Indians (MI) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) twice during the league phase.

The Ruturaj Gaikwad-led CSK will kick off their campaign with a blockbuster clash against MI at home on March 23. This high-voltage encounter, featuring two five-time champions, will be the second match of the tournament’s opening weekend. The return fixture is scheduled for April 20 in Mumbai. However, MI will be without their skipper Hardik Pandya for the first game, as he serves a one-match suspension due to repeated overrate violations in IPL 2024.

CSK’s second match will see them host RCB on March 28, before traveling to Bengaluru for the reverse fixture on May 3. The Super Kings will enjoy a strong home advantage early in the tournament, playing four of their first six games at Chepauk.

IPL 2025 Format and Groups

This year’s tournament follows the same format introduced in 2022, with the 10 teams split into two groups:

Group 1: KKR, RCB, RR, CSK, PBKS

Group 2: SRH, DC, GT, MI, LSG

Each team will play the other teams in its group twice, along with one team from the opposite group (based on seeding). The remaining four teams from the opposite group will be played once, making a total of 14 league matches per team.

Season Kick-off and Playoff Venues

IPL 2025 will commence on March 22, with defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) hosting RCB at Eden Gardens. Kolkata will also host the final on May 25, as well as Qualifier 2 on May 23. Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium will stage Qualifier 1 on May 20 and the Eliminator on May 21.

Last season’s runners-up, Sunrisers Hyderabad, will begin their campaign at home against Rajasthan Royals in an afternoon fixture on March 23. Meanwhile, Delhi Capitals and Gujarat Titans will start their seasons at home, facing Lucknow Super Giants and Punjab Kings, respectively.

Additional Venues

In addition to the 10 primary IPL venues—Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Lucknow, Mullanpur, Delhi, Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Jaipur—matches will also be played in Guwahati, Visakhapatnam, and Dharamsala.

Rajasthan Royals will play two of their home matches in Guwahati, facing KKR on March 26 and CSK on March 30.

Delhi Capitals will begin their home campaign in Visakhapatnam, hosting Lucknow Super Giants and Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Punjab Kings will play three of their home matches in Dharamsala, taking on LSG, DC, and MI.

Tournament Overview

IPL 2025 will feature 74 matches over 65 days, with 12 double-headers throughout the season. RR, DC, LSG, and GT will each play three afternoon games, while the other six teams will feature in two afternoon fixtures each.

With intense rivalries, high-stakes clashes, and new venues added to the mix, IPL 2025 is set to be another thrilling edition of the world's biggest T20 league.