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September 28, 2024
In IPL 2025, 74 matches will be played, the same as in the last three seasons. This number is ten games fewer than the 84 matches proposed during the 2022 media rights cycle. The IPL had initially listed various match totals for the new rights cycle, which included 74 games each in 2023 and 2024, 84 matches in 2025 and 2026, and a maximum of 94 games in the final year, 2027.
The decision to maintain 74 matches in 2025 is primarily aimed at helping Indian international players manage their workload effectively. The Indian cricket team is a favorite to reach the World Test Championship final on June 11 at Lord’s. Given this potential commitment, players need to have adequate rest and recovery.
By reducing the number of matches, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) aims to ensure that players are well-prepared for the championship. This strategy reflects a growing awareness of the physical demands placed on players. It emphasizes the importance of balancing competitive play with necessary downtime.
The IPL dates for the 2025 season have yet to be finalized, but the window is likely to stretch between mid-March and the last week of May. “We have not taken a call on organizing 84 matches in IPL 2025 since we also have to factor the load on the players due to the increase in matches,” Jay Shah, the outgoing BCCI secretary, told the Economic Times recently. “While it’s (84 matches) part of the contract, it’s up to the BCCI to decide whether to organize 74 or 84 matches.”
In 2022, the IPL became one of the wealthiest sporting leagues globally, with a remarkable per-match value after selling its media rights for approximately INR 48,390.5 crore (around USD 6.2 billion). The rights were divided into four packages: Package A for TV rights in the Indian subcontinent, Package B for digital rights in the same region, Package C for digital rights to a unique selection of high-profile games in India—including playoffs and the final, totaling 18 to 22 matches each season—and Package D for global media rights across five regions.
The number of matches in each IPL season influences the number of matches included in Package C, often referred to as the particular package. This package features vital matches, including the tournament opener, weekend evening games, and the four playoff matches, culminating in the final. While the opening match and the playoffs are guaranteed to be part of this package, the IPL will decide which evening matches from the double-headers are included based on the overall number of games scheduled in the season.
This approach allows the IPL to strategically showcase its most exciting matches while maximizing revenue from media rights. The careful planning of match inclusion in Package C reflects the league’s commitment to maintaining high viewer engagement and enhancing the tournament’s overall appeal.
In a season with 74 matches, like in 2023 and 2024, the special package will include 18 games. Suppose the number of matches in a season exceeds 74. In that case, the number of matches in the special package will increase by two for every additional ten games.
For example, if a season features 84 matches, the special package will increase to 20 matches. Similarly, if the tournament features 94 games, the special package will expand to 22 matches. This structure ensures that fans have access to more high-profile games as the total number of matches grows.
Mominul Haque led Bangladesh’s resistance with an unbeaten score of 40 runs. Unfortunately, the opening day of the second Test between India and Bangladesh in Kanpur was hampered by bad light and heavy rain, which limited play to just 35 overs. By the end of the day, Bangladesh had managed to score 107 runs for the loss of three wickets.
The match began with a one-hour delay for the toss due to a wet outfield from overnight rain. When the toss occurred, India won, and captain Rohit Sharma opted to bowl first. This decision marked India’s first choice to bowl in a home Test since 2015. Rohit believed his three seamers could exploit the conditions, pointing out that Kanpur’s pitch was softer and had more grass than usual.
In contrast to India’s decision, Bangladesh approached the match differently. They preferred to bat first and included three spinners in their lineup, aiming to take advantage of the conditions as they saw them. This divergence in strategy highlighted the varying tactics both teams employed based on their assessment of the pitch and weather.
Jasprit Bumrah started strong, moving the ball both ways and bowling three maiden overs, but he couldn’t take a wicket. Mohammed Siraj also struggled to find success as openers Shadman Islam and Zakir Hasan weathered the initial spells. In fact, Zakir faced 20 balls without scoring any runs during this period.
The situation changed in the ninth when Akash Deep was brought into the attack. With his third delivery, he had Zakir edging the ball toward the gully, where Yashasvi Jaiswal made a fantastic low catch to his right. The TV umpire was called to check the catch’s validity. Although he had only one precise angle, it was enough for him to confirm that the ball went directly into Jaiswal’s hands.
A few overs later, Akash Deep struck again. Bowling from around the wicket, he beat Shadman Islam’s inside edge and hit him on the pad. Despite a strong lbw appeal from India, the on-field umpire turned it down, suggesting the ball would only clip the leg stump. India decided to review the decision, and to everyone’s surprise, the projection indicated that the ball would hit a significant portion of the leg stump.
Shanto started his innings with a positive mindset, scoring a few streaky boundaries off the outer edge of his bat. Mominul, initially tentative, gradually gained confidence as the innings went on. He hit a four off Akash Deep and Mohammed Siraj using the ramp shot, then drove Jasprit Bumrah through the covers for another boundary.
As the last over before lunch was being bowled, a light drizzle began to fall, causing a 15-minute delay to the second session. When play resumed, R. Ashwin quickly made an impact by bowling around the wicket and beating Shanto’s inside edge, trapping him lbw for 31 runs. This dismissal ended a 51-run partnership for the third wicket.
After Shanto’s departure, Mominul and Mushfiqur Rahim faced a few nervous moments at the crease. Akash Deep nearly got Mushfiqur out, but his outside edge went for four runs through the gap between third slip and gully. Three overs later, Mominul attempted a full delivery from Bumrah, edging it over the slip cordon for another boundary. Unfortunately, this was the last over before it became too dark to continue. Soon after, heavy rain began to pour, prompting the umpires to call off play just before 3 PM local time.
Katarzyna Nowak is a seasoned writer with over five years of experience in editorial content, news reporting, and cricket sportsbook app reviews. As an author for The Wicket Insider, she combines her deep understanding of the sports betting industry with a passion for cricket, delivering insightful and accurate content that keeps readers informed and engaged.
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