IPL
As the IPL gears up for its 18th season in 2025, running from late March into late May, the ten franchises will once again battle for that coveted trophy. Having played at the state level in Mumbai, I know exactly how the power-hitting and death-over variations that dominate T20 demand a completely different mindset from the red-ball grind we grew up with in Indian domestic cricket.
The teams line up much as they have in recent years. Mumbai Indians, based in Mumbai and led by Hardik Pandya, carry five titles and their trademark blue-and-gold. Chennai Super Kings, from Chennai under Ruturaj Gaikwad, also sit on five wins in yellow and blue. Royal Challengers Bengaluru, captained by Virat Kohli, still chase that elusive first title in red and gold. Kolkata Knight Riders, with Shreyas Iyer at the helm, have three trophies in purple and gold. Delhi Capitals under Axar Patel and Punjab Kings, also skippered by Shreyas Iyer, remain winless so far. Rajasthan Royals, led by Sanju Samson, have one title in pink and blue. Sunrisers Hyderabad under Pat Cummins hold two in orange and black. Lucknow Super Giants captained by Rishabh Pant and Gujarat Titans led by Rashid Khan each have one triumph.
The format stays familiar: 74 matches total. In the league phase every side plays 14 games—two against five opponents and one against the remaining four—before the top four advance. The playoffs follow the usual pattern: Qualifier 1 between first and second, Eliminator between third and fourth, Qualifier 2 between the Qualifier 1 loser and Eliminator winner, and finally the title clash.
At the mega auction in November 2024 several big-ticket signings shaped the squads. Rishabh Pant went to Lucknow Super Giants for 27 crore as a wicketkeeper-batter. Shreyas Iyer fetched 26.75 crore for Punjab Kings. Venkatesh Iyer joined Kolkata Knight Riders for 23.75 crore as an all-rounder. Arshdeep Singh moved to Gujarat Titans for 18 crore, while Yuzvendra Chahal also landed at Punjab Kings for the same amount as a specialist spinner. Jos Buttler joined Gujarat Titans for 15.75 crore, KL Rahul went to Delhi Capitals for 14 crore, Trent Boult signed with Mumbai Indians for 12.5 crore, Mitchell Starc joined Delhi Capitals for 11.75 crore, and Phil Salt moved to Kolkata Knight Riders for 11.5 crore.
The mega auction itself has become a spectacle that commands attention across the cricket world. With purse limits for each franchise, team management must balance star acquisitions with strategic depth. The auction format—where franchises bid against each other in real time—creates dramatic moments that often reshape entire squad compositions. For the 2025 season, teams had to make calculated decisions about retaining core players versus investing in fresh talent, with injuries and form fluctuations from the previous season heavily influencing bidding patterns. Many franchises looked to bolster their middle-order batting or secure premium all-rounders capable of contributing both with bat and ball, a premium asset in the compressed T20 format.
The IPL’s evolution over nearly two decades has fundamentally transformed Indian cricket. It accelerated the domestic pipeline, providing young players exposure to international-standard cricket and experienced campaigners. The tournament proved that T20 cricket could sustain a league format, inspiring similar tournaments globally. The financial rewards have also been transformative—players who might have remained relatively anonymous in domestic circuits found global recognition and sponsorship opportunities through IPL platforms.
In Mumbai we grew up watching the old Mumbai-Indians-versus-Chennai-Super-Kings clashes that felt like extensions of our own Ranji rivalries, so those fixtures still carry extra spice alongside the traditional Kolkata-Royal Challengers encounters and the north-Indian derby between Delhi and Punjab. These rivalries extend beyond statistics; they represent regional pride and competitive history that resonates deeply with Indian cricket fans. The Mumbai-Chennai fixture in particular, with both franchises sitting atop the all-time title count, always promises intensity regardless of current form or season context.
Team dynamics and coaching staff play underrated roles in IPL success. While star players grab headlines, the support structure—strength and conditioning coaches, analysts, and fielding coaches—often determines whether a side can sustain excellence across a two-month tournament. Some franchises have invested heavily in data analytics, using technology to track opposition patterns and optimize game strategies. The role of captaincy cannot be understated either; shrewd tactical decisions in the powerplay, strategic bowling changes, and field placements in death overs frequently decide matches in T20 cricket where momentum shifts rapidly.
The domestic talent pool feeding the IPL continues to expand. State-level cricket in India remains highly competitive, with Ranji Trophy matches and domestic T20 tournaments like the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy serving as breeding grounds. Many current IPL stars began their journeys in these domestic competitions, understanding that excellence at state level opens doors to franchise cricket. The IPL, in turn, has elevated standards within domestic cricket as players aspire to play in India’s premier league.
For anyone in Japan trying to catch the action, JioCinema offers free global streaming, Disney+ Hotstar works in select regions, Sky Sports can be accessed via VPN, Willow TV serves North American audiences, and the official IPL YouTube channel carries highlights. Matches typically start at 3:30 pm and 7:30 pm IST, translating to 7 pm and 11 pm Japan time, with some afternoon games on weekends. Following IPL matches from international time zones requires planning, but the quality of cricket ensures it’s worth the effort for dedicated fans. Many viewers record matches and watch during convenient hours, though the tournament’s nail-biting finishes often tempt fans to stay awake live.
The historical record shows Kolkata Knight Riders lifting the 2024 trophy in Chennai against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Chennai winning in 2023 at Ahmedabad, Gujarat Titans taking 2022 also at Ahmedabad, and earlier titles going to Chennai in 2021, Mumbai in 2020 and 2019, Chennai again in 2018, and Mumbai in 2017. This concentration of titles among certain franchises reflects both consistent organizational quality and the cyclical nature of T20 cricket where form and fortune intertwine. However, IPL history also shows that franchises can rebuild rapidly; Rajasthan Royals won the inaugural edition in 2008 but didn’t claim another title until much later, while Gujarat Titans won immediately in their inaugural season in 2022. Such narratives remind us that the IPL remains unpredictable despite apparent hierarchies.
Looking ahead to the 2025 season, several narratives will unfold. Can Royal Challengers Bengaluru finally break their trophy drought despite fielding consistently strong squads? Will Rishabh Pant’s return to captaincy with Lucknow Super Giants spark a new chapter for that franchise? Can established powerhouses Mumbai and Chennai maintain their winning momentum? These questions drive engagement and make each IPL season compelling viewing. The tournament’s format ensures that even struggling teams get multiple opportunities to build form, creating exciting possibilities for unexpected turnarounds or comebacks deep into the tournament.
