 "Explained: How BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla's statement has led to a confusion of IPL 2025 start date")
Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) vice-president Rajeev Shukla spoke to reporters after the conclusion of the Special General Meeting (SGM) at the board’s Mumbai headquarters on Sunday. Not only did the senior BCCI official give a tentative date for India's announcement of their squads for the three-match ODI series against England as well as the subsequent ICC Champions Trophy, he also mentioned the start date of the 18th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
It was in the latter, however, that former IPL chairman Shukla created a bit of confusion.
How Rajeev Shukla’s statement led to a confusion over IPL 2025 start date?
During his chat with the press, Shukla mentioned 23 March as the starting date for this year’s IPL – which would have been exactly two weeks after the conclusion of the Champions Trophy in which India will be playing all of their matches in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
ESPNCricinfo and Cricbuzz, however, have gone with 21 March as the start date. PTI journalist Kushan Sarkar, meanwhile, posted on X that IPL 18 is expected to begin on “either on Mar 20 or 21”.
There, however, appears to be no confusion over the venue for the first match of the season – Kolkata’s iconic Eden Gardens, home of the defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).
Led by newly-appointed Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer last season, the Knight Riders won their third title after defeating the Pat Cummins-led Sunrisers Hyderabad in the final in Chennai .
Kolkata will also host the final that will be taking place on 25 May.
It’s worth noting that the Indian Premier League website is yet to make any mention of the dates for IPL 2025, and neither has it posted anything related to it on it’s X account. Until that happens, confusion over the start date will prevail.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsThe third edition of the Women’s Premier League, meanwhile, will be taking place between 7 February and 2 March.
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