With just weeks to go until IPL 2025, excitement is at an all-time high. While the official schedule is yet to be released, one key detail has emerged—Visakhapatnam will once again serve as the second home for Delhi Capitals (DC).

The Dr. Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Andhra Pradesh has been retained as a venue for the upcoming season. Just like last year, Delhi Capitals will play select home matches in Visakhapatnam, a move that strengthens the IPL’s regional outreach. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is expected to release the complete IPL 2025 schedule on Monday.

Three Non-Regular Venues in IPL 2025

To take high-intensity T20 cricket to different parts of India, the BCCI has allocated three non-traditional venues for IPL 2025—Visakhapatnam, Guwahati, and Dharamsala.

📍 Guwahati – Rajasthan Royals’ Second Home

Rajasthan Royals (RR) will play two matches at Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati:

• March 26: Rajasthan Royals 🆚 Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
• March 30: Rajasthan Royals 🆚 Chennai Super Kings (CSK)

📍 Dharamsala – Punjab Kings’ Mountain Fortress

Punjab Kings (PBKS) will host three matches at the scenic HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala, likely against:

• Mumbai Indians (MI)
• Chennai Super Kings (CSK)
• Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)

📍 Visakhapatnam – Delhi Capitals’ Alternate Home

Delhi Capitals will kick off their IPL 2025 journey in Visakhapatnam, a venue that has served them well in the past. The exact match dates and opponents will be confirmed soon.

Who Will Captain Delhi Capitals in IPL 2025?

One of the biggest talking points ahead of IPL 2025 is Delhi Capitals’ captaincy decision. With Rishabh Pant moving to Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the IPL auction, DC needs a new leader.

🚀 Top Contenders:
✅ Axar Patel – A proven all-rounder, one of DC’s retained players, and a potential leader.
✅ KL Rahul – A highly experienced captain, having led PBKS, LSG, and the Indian team in the past.

While Axar Patel appears to be the frontrunner, DC might consider Rahul for his tactical acumen and batting prowess. The final call is expected before the tournament begins.

IPL 2025 Kickoff and Final Venue Confirmed

According to reports, IPL 2025 will open with a blockbuster clash on March 22 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.

🏏 Opening Match: Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) 🆚 Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
🏏 Match 2: SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) 🆚 Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Hyderabad on March 23

🔥 IPL 2025 Final: May 25 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata

What This Means for IPL Fans

The inclusion of Visakhapatnam, Guwahati, and Dharamsala as IPL venues ensures more fans get to experience the thrill of live T20 action. This decision by BCCI aligns with the vision of expanding IPL’s reach while keeping the competition fierce.

With teams finalizing their strategies and star players gearing up for another explosive season, IPL 2025 is set to deliver non-stop entertainment!