The much-awaited Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 is all set to begin with a spectacular opening ceremony on March 22, 2025, at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. Widely regarded as the world's second-richest sports league, valued at $10.7 billion, this year’s IPL promises an even bigger and more exciting season.
The opening match will feature the defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) against the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), setting the stage for an electrifying cricketing spectacle. Before the action on the field begins, fans will be treated to a dazzling entertainment experience, filled with Bollywood stars and music performances.
The opening ceremony will feature a stellar lineup, including Disha Patani, known for her sizzling dance performances, Shreya Ghoshal, the melody queen, who will captivate the audience with her soulful voice, and Karan Aujla, the Punjabi sensation, who will get the crowd hyped with his electrifying beats. The ceremony will also feature dazzling fireworks and impressive special effects to create a truly unforgettable beginning to the cricketing extravaganza.
Where and When to Watch
Date: Saturday, March 22, 2025
Venue: Eden Gardens, Kolkata
Global Timings:
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USA (EST): 8:30 AM
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USA (CST): 7:30 AM
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USA (MST): 6:30 AM
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USA (PST): 5:30 AM
How to Watch the Opening Ceremony Live
Fans can catch the live telecast on Star Sports Network, available in various regional languages. For online viewing, JioCinema will offer free streaming for Jio subscribers, while Disney+ Hotstar will provide HD streaming for its subscribers.
As cricket fever takes over the globe, the IPL 2025 opening ceremony is expected to be an exciting blend of entertainment and cricket, building anticipation for the thrilling matches that follow.
New Regulations for IPL 2025
In another significant development, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has lifted the ban on the use of saliva to shine the ball, a restriction originally imposed by the International Cricket Council (ICC) during the COVID-19 pandemic. For the past five years, fast bowlers have relied on sweat to shine the ball. The decision has been welcomed by national team fast bowlers, including Naseem Shah, who expressed relief over the return of the traditional method. However, he emphasized that while saliva can help shine the ball faster, effective bowling techniques remain essential.
