IPL 2025: Decoding The Season as KKR & RCB Square Off at Eden Gardens in Tournament Opener | Opinion

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If summer heat is approaching, the Indian Premier League (IPL) fever cannot be far behind. In over 24 hours, the iconic Eden Gardens, a part of Indian cricket history, will witness the first high voltage contest between defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the 2025 edition.

When the first ball is bowled, with now spit and shine also allowed, a term first used for Fauji leather shoes to be shined, many eyes will pop out in disbelief. What impact does saliva have on the ball is well-known, something which Mohd Shami had pleaded for.

It has been seen in past as well, though, once the Covid pandemic broke out, saliva use was banned. Well, the IPL turns an adult on Saturday. At 18, it gets evaluated at over US $ 12 billion. And the valuation of the IPL grows and soars. There is no stopping it, like the sixes which will fly from the bats of the master blasters.

On Thursday, the new IPL captains, with wholesome changes and cross migration, met in Mumbai. It was more than a routine affair where there was discussion on a few aspects. Lest one think the BCCI does give IPLs captain too many topics to think and ideate, this was more of a formality.

For those who thought the meeting could phase out the Impact Player rule, now accepted in the IPL, it is not going to happen any time soon. Interestingly, when the two teams meet, Kolkata and Bengaluru, two men will be seeing each other closely.

Virat Kohli may not be the official captain of RCB, but he does call the shots in many ways. Rajat Patidar has been hyped as the skipper of RCB but it is well-known, Kohli plays a massive role on the field.

And for KKR, who would have thought Ajinkya Rahane, a 'cheap buy' at the auction, will go out for toss as the captain. Two former captains, one a regular and one who stood-in often for Kohli, this match should set the tone and tenor for the 2025 IPL. Both Kohli and Jinx are fierce competitors, passionate and ready to rock on the big stage.

Rahane, usually reticent, had opened up a month back when he said he does not have a PR overdrive team. He makes up for it with drive and dash. Much water has flowed along the Hoogly river in and around the banks of Kolkata since the IPL 2024 edition when KKR emerged captains with Shreyas Iyer as captain and Gautam Gambhir as coach, in the Chennai final.

Rahane, his deputy Venkatesh Iyer and shrewd Chandrakant Pandit will plan the strategy in IPL 2025. For those who think the IPL is just club cricket, don't get it wrong. Intense, competitive and with cutting edge there are variations and innovations.

What's new, a second ball (not new) which can be taken, subject to umpires' approval after 11 overs in the second innings. This is due to the dew factor, where gripping the ball becomes very hard, despite the towel being worked on the ball. This second ball thing did cause a flutter on Thursday.

The captains may well think a harder ball allows the bowler to get a better grip. At the same time, a harder ball also means the batter can belt it better and the ball can fly to the fence or take the aerial route into the stands.

For those who have watched each edition of the IPL since 2008, even in bits and pieces, each year has been stronger, like strong filter coffee. Indeed, the first match sets the tone. Rahane has a lot to prove to himself and those who have been unkind to him in the BCCI.

To those Kolkatans who have embraced the spirit of winning, they will back Rahane to the hilt, just as they did with many famous previous captains.

RCB has to work harder, prove that's its value in cricketing terms is much more than the prices at which their tickets for home matches got lapped up in no time. The prices were sky high, but IPL fans are a crazy lot. Their faith in Brand IPL, which is a topic for 'market studies' as well as MBA students continues.

Decoding the IPL on and off the field is not easy. The best is to fasten your seat belts and enjoy it. It's going to be almost two months hot stuff.