IPL 2025: Aakash Chopra Critiques Fascinating Schedule for Franchises
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Synopsis
Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra critiques the IPL 2025 schedule, highlighting the intriguing fixtures for Royal Challengers Bengaluru and challenges faced by Kolkata Knight Riders. His analysis covers the advantages and obstacles for various franchises, including the impact of home venues on their performances.
Key Takeaways
- Aakash Chopra analyzes IPL 2025 schedules.
- RCB faces KKR in both opening and concluding matches.
- Home-heavy fixtures may benefit RCB.
- Inconsistent venues challenge teams like RR, DC, and PBKS.
- Gujarat Titans enjoy favorable scheduling.
New Delhi, Feb 17 (NationPress) Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra opines that Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have received a fascinating IPL 2025 schedule, featuring a blend of home-heavy encounters towards the later stages of the league. The reigning champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will confront RCB in the IPL 2025 inaugural match at their home venue, Eden Gardens, on March 22.
While recognizing that RCB had a strong finish in IPL 2024 under similar circumstances, Chopra indicated that their final league match against KKR could prove to be a formidable obstacle.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra analyzed the schedules of various franchises, providing observations on potential advantages and challenges.
For RCB, he highlighted that their campaign kicks off against KKR in Kolkata on March 22 and wraps up with a reverse fixture against the same team in Bengaluru on May 17. Given that KKR outperformed RCB in both encounters last season, Chopra noted that facing them again at critical moments could be a double-edged sword.
“It’s intriguing for Bengaluru. They have three of their last four and four out of their last six games at home. They have more home matches towards the end. It was a concern previously, but last season revealed that they are quite capable,” he remarked.
Nonetheless, he remained cautious regarding the KKR factor, reminding supporters that the Kolkata franchise has had the advantage in recent contests. RCB was convincingly defeated by KKR at home last year, and they also narrowly lost by just one run.
“They clinched the last few matches at home and managed to qualify. So if we consider last year’s pattern, it looks okay. However, it’s interesting that they start and end against Kolkata. That could be a tough match because their games are closely contested and Kolkata has triumphed here,” Chopra elaborated.
Visakhapatnam and Guwahati will host two home matches each for Delhi Capitals (DC) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) respectively, while Punjab Kings (PBKS) will play its three home games in Dharamsala. KKR and DC have yet to announce their new captains for the IPL 2025 season. Meanwhile, RCB has recently appointed Rajat Patidar as their new captain, while Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant were previously named as new skippers of PBKS and LSG, respectively.
Focusing on KKR, Chopra mentioned that their primary challenge could be playing their final two league-phase matches away from home. Despite a balanced schedule that includes two home and two away games in cycles, the lack of home support in the concluding phase might test their fortitude.
“It’s interesting for Kolkata too. They will play two matches at home followed by two away games multiple times, which I regard as a positive. The only issue is that their last two matches are away,” he added.
While evaluating other franchises, Chopra pointed out that Gujarat Titans (GT) appear to have an optimal run-in, with their first two and last two matches being hosted at home in Ahmedabad.
“The Gujarat Titans are set to play their first two matches at home and their last two also at home. Shubman Gill is likely to notch three fifties and one hundred in those matches. Since the matches are in Ahmedabad, they will be in a favorable position. If things go awry, having two home matches at the end can help turn the tide,” Chopra explained.
The Titans will begin their season against Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Mumbai Indians (MI), concluding with home matches against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK).
Another significant concern raised by Chopra was the inconsistent home venues for Rajasthan Royals (RR), Delhi Capitals (DC), and Punjab Kings (PBKS).
He questioned Rajasthan’s choice to start their home campaign in Guwahati instead of Jaipur, given their poor record at that venue.
“Three teams, Rajasthan Royals, Delhi Capitals, and Punjab Kings, have alternate venues, and I start to wonder why this decision was made. Rajasthan is initiating their campaign with away matches. Their record in Guwahati is dismal; they have won only one out of four games,” he stated.
“So why are they going there at the beginning? By the time they reach Jaipur, it will be April 13. Nearly twenty days will have passed without a home game. The fans in Jaipur are uncertain about when their team will play locally. It doesn’t make sense,” Chopra added.
Similarly, Delhi Capitals are set to commence their initial home matches in Visakhapatnam, a strategy Chopra found questionable despite their decent history at that venue. Meanwhile, Punjab Kings will conclude their home campaign in Dharamsala rather than Mullanpur, which Chopra felt could diminish their home advantage.
Delhi is also starting in Vizag. They have performed reasonably well there, but the same concerns apply to Delhi as for Rajasthan. Punjab finds themselves in a different situation altogether. Three of their last four matches will be home games, all in Dharamsala,” he concluded.
