IPL 2025: New Rules and Regulations from this year, All you need to Know

IPL opening match between Kolkata-Bengaluru

The 18th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is starting from March 22. The first match will be played between defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at the Eden Gardens Stadium from 7.30 pm. The opening ceremony will also be held in Kolkata.

IPL 2025 FAQ

1. How many teams are playing this season?

Only 10 teams are participating. BCCI increased the teams from 8 to 10 in 2022. Since then only 10 teams are playing in the league.

2. Which team is in which group?

The 10 teams have been divided into two groups of 5 each. Each team will play 2-2 matches with 4 teams of its group, while it will play one match each with 4 teams of the other group and 2 matches with the fifth team. Suppose Group-A team CSK will play 2-2 matches against KKR, RR, RCB and PBKS in its group. At the same time, Chennai will have 2 matches against Mumbai, a team from another Group-B, while it will have 1-1 match against Hyderabad, Gujarat, Delhi and Lucknow.

3. At how many venues will the matches be played?

Matches will be played at 13 venues. Apart from the home venues of 10 teams, 3 teams have also kept substitute venues.

4. Where will the maximum matches be played?

The maximum 9-9 matches will be played at Eden Gardens Stadium in Kolkata and Rajiv Gandhi Uppal International Stadium in Hyderabad. Apart from the 7 home matches of the team, there will also be 2-2 playoff matches here.

5. Did the teams change players even after the auction?

Yes, after the mega auction, some teams released replacements of their players for different reasons. Harry Brook is not playing due to personal reasons. At the same time, Allah Ghazanfar, Lizad Williams, Brydon Carse and Umran Malik are out due to injury.

6. Will only one match be played in a day?

No, during the league there are double header matches on Saturday and Sunday. Double header means two matches in a day. This time there will be 12 double headers. Matches will be played every day from 22 March. The group stage will end on 18 May. There will be no matches on 19, 22 and 24 May during the playoffs.

7. When will the playoff stage start?

The playoff stage will start on 20 May, on this day Qualifier-1 will be played. Then there will be Eliminator on 21 May, Qualifier-2 on 23 May. Then the final match will be played on 25 May.

8. Will the impact players rule remain this time too?

Yes, the impact players rule will remain this season too. BCCI had decided to continue the Impact Players Rule from 2025 to 2027 after the Governing Council meeting on 28 September 2024. Under the Impact Player Rule, teams can replace any one player with a player sitting on the bench in the middle of the match. However, the replaced player cannot return to that match. In this way, 12 players from a team play in a match.

9. How many foreigners can play in the playing-11 of a team?

Only 4 foreign players can play in the playing-11 of a team, the remaining 7 Indian players will have to be given a chance. Teams can also play with 11 Indian players if they want.

10. What happens if the match is tied?

If both the teams score equal runs in their respective innings, then the match is tied. After this, a super over is played for the decision. In this, both the teams bat 1-1 overs, the team scoring more runs is the winner. If the super over is also tied, then the next super over will be played. This will continue until a result is reached.

11. What will happen if the match is cancelled?

If the match remains inconclusive for any reason, then both teams will be given one point each. 2 points are given for winning the match and no point is given for losing. In case the match is stopped due to rain, the DLS method will be applied. However, in this also, at least 5 overs must be played in the second innings for a result. At the same time, in the playoff stage, 10 overs must be played in the second innings for a result.

12. What will happen if the playoff match is cancelled?

If it rains during the playoff match or the match remains inconclusive, then it will be played on the reserve day. If the decision is not made even on the reserve day, then the team at the top of the points table will qualify for the next round. At the same time, if the final match is not played even on the reserve day, then the trophy will be shared between the two teams.

13. Which team has won the most titles?

Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings have won the most titles, 5 each. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) is the defending champion, the team won the third final in 2024 by defeating Sunrisers Hyderabad by 8 wickets. The team has also become champion in 2012 and 2014. Sunrisers Hyderabad, Deccan Chargers, Rajasthan Royals and Gujarat Titans have also won IPL 1-1 times.

14. What is the winning prize?

The team that wins the IPL title gets a prize money of Rs 20 crore. The runner-up team will get Rs 13 crore. The team that finishes third gets Rs 7 crore and the team that finishes fourth gets Rs 6.50 crore. Apart from these, prize money is also given to players in different categories including Player of the Tournament, Best Batsman (Orange Cap), Best Bowler (Purple Cap), Emerging Player.

16. Where can you watch the tournament?

The broadcasting rights of the tournament are with JioHotstar. Viewers in India will be able to watch the matches on TV on Star Sports, Sports-18 and online on the OTT platform JioHotstar.