Kolkata: The 18th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is all set to kick off on Saturday with defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) facing Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at the iconic Eden Gardens. Despite the excitement, rain looms large, threatening to dampen the season opener.

New rules and saliva ban reversal mark a fresh start

This season introduces significant rule changes, the most notable being the reversal of the saliva ban. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) decided to lift the ban after a consensus from IPL captains during a meeting in Mumbai. While the International Cricket Council (ICC) made the saliva ban permanent in 2022, the IPL's independent regulations allow this exception, potentially influencing international norms.

Additionally, evening matches will see a new ball introduced from the 11th over if the on-field umpires deem that the dew factor significantly impacts play. However, this rule will not apply to afternoon fixtures. The Decision Review System (DRS) has also expanded to include height and off-side wides, aiming for fairer umpiring decisions.

The impact player rule stays

Despite debates about its influence on the game, the Impact Player rule remains in place.

New captains take charge

Seven franchises will begin IPL 2025 with new captains. Some of them will be a stop-gap arrangement for various reasons.

  • Rajat Patidar, who is yet to play a T20I for India, will lead RCB, featuring star player Virat Kohli.
  • Axar Patel captains Delhi Capitals, guiding senior players like KL Rahul.
  • Shreyas Iyer, who led KKR to the title last year, will now helm Punjab Kings, while Ajinkya Rahane replaces him at KKR.
  • Riyan Parag serves as interim captain for the first three matches of the Rajasthan Royals, covering for Sanju Samson, recovering from a finger injury.
  • Suryakumar Yadav leads Mumbai Indians for their away opener against Chennai Super Kings, with Hardik Pandya suspended for an over-rate violation.

Shuffling of support staff

This season also witnesses significant changes in coaching personnel:

  • Ricky Ponting moves from Delhi Capitals to Punjab Kings as head coach.
  • Hemang Badani has replaced Ponting as the Delhi Capitals' head coach.
  • Kevin Pietersen has joined the Delhi Capitals as a mentor. 
  • Rahul Dravid returns to the Rajasthan Royals as head coach.
  • CSK veteran Dwayne Bravo will be KKR mentor, replacing Gautam Gambhir, who is now India's head coach.

Is this Dhoni’s final season?

The ever-present speculation surrounding MS Dhoni's IPL future resurfaces. The 43-year-old, who retired from international cricket in 2020, continues to captivate fans, primarily featuring in the IPL. While he may not be the consistent matchwinner of old, his presence alone bolsters the Chennai Super Kings.

His sharp cricketing brain, field placements, and ability to finish games with quick cameos make him an invaluable asset. Exactly 30 years his junior is Vaibhav Suryavanshi, a prodigal batting talent acquired by Rajasthan Royals but it remains to be seen how many games he manages to get.

Ro-Ko to return in T20 again

This season marks the first major T20 appearance for Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma after their T20I retirements following India's World Cup victory last year. Kohli, the highest run-getter in IPL 2024 with 741 runs, remains the linchpin for RCB, while Rohit, after a lean patch, will look to rediscover his magic for Mumbai Indians.

Fitness concerns for Jasprit Bumrah

Mumbai Indians' hopes and India's plans for their upcoming England tour hinge on Jasprit Bumrah's fitness. Currently at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru, his readiness for the season remains uncertain. Coach Mahela Jayawardene is cautiously optimistic about his return.

Rishabh Pant's redemption story

Rishabh Pant is set to begin a crucial new chapter in his career after his resolute comeback from a life-threatening accident became part of cricketing lore. The IPL's most expensive player in history—acquired by Lucknow Super Giants for a record INR 27 crore—will be eager to silence his critics.

Despite making the squads for the Champions Trophy and the T20I series against England, he was not given a single match. Now, he has a point to prove, particularly in the T20 format, where he has struggled to cement his place in the Indian team.

Pant's explosive batting style and leadership skills have long been debated, and this season presents an opportunity for him to not only justify his hefty price tag but also send a strong message to the selectors ahead of future international assignments.

Match Preview: KKR vs RCB

The season opener at Eden Gardens revives an iconic rivalry. Seventeen years ago, Brendon McCullum's blistering 158 in the inaugural IPL match set the tone for the league's legacy.

But much water has flown under the nearby Hooghly since then as KKR have won three titles, while RCB is still in search of the elusive crown.

This time, KKR, often known to slump after a championship win, will look to defy history under Rahane's leadership.

Focus will be on Varun Chakravarthy, the architect of India's Champions Trophy victory, when he takes on Kohli, who has worked intensely against spin in the nets.

Meanwhile, Sunil Narine, still a force at 36, will look to complement Chakravarthy while also firing at the top to compensate for Phil Salt's departure to RCB.

For RCB, the firepower of Salt and Kohli at the top, complemented by finishers like Jitesh Sharma and Liam Livingstone, looks formidable.

However, their bowling, weakened by the absence of Mohammed Siraj (now with Gujarat Titans), will lean on veterans Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood to make an impact on Eden's spin-friendly conditions.

Glamorous opening ceremony amid rain concerns

The season begins with a grand opening ceremony featuring Shreya Ghoshal, Karan Aujla, and Disha Patani. However, all the excitement might quite literally be dampened as there is a forecast of thunderstorms and rain on match day. 

PTI