19:00 Local Time, 13:30 GMT: "It's been an amazing feeling to lead RCB, I love this ground and specially the fans. This is my dream. The boys are energetic and feeling confident this year," says RCB's new captain Rajat Patidar.

Kohli and SRK dance together now as the crowd go mad

18:45 Local Time, 13:15 GMT = 45 minutes to ball one:

18:30 local, 13:00 GMT = 30 minutes to toss: Now it is the turn of Disha Patani to entertain the crowd. Lungi Ngidi and Jacob Bethell are sat next to each other watching the opening ceremony.

Mustafa Moudi: Apart from QDK and Gurbaz, KKR has one more WK Luvnith Sisodia. Interestingly, he was with RCB in 2021 and got Injured. RCB brought Rajat Patidar as his Replacement, who is their captain today. So Luvnith is responsible for finding their New Skipper?

Shivam: Really interesting to see how PBKS and DC approach the season, considering they have pretty good squads on paper.

Arjun: As we gear up for the new IPL 2025, the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) are once again one of the most talked-about teams. But the big question is – can they overcome their past challenges and finally lift the coveted IPL trophy?

18:15 local, 12:45 GMT: The opening ceremony has just begun after a welcome speech from Shah Rukh Khan. First up, Shreya Ghoshal with a crew of violinists and choir. Eden Gardens is immersed in some mesmerzing music and vocals for now. The atmosphere looks proper lit.

18:10 local, 12:40 GMT: Alright! Back to serious business. 70 league games. 58 days of uninterrupted action. 4 knock-outs at 2 venues. ONE winner. Who will it be? It all begins today. Only fair to remind ourselves that India, less than a year ago, won their second T20 World Cup. The last and only time India won the ultimate glory was back at the inaugural edition in 2007 where IPl was still a dream waiting to be translated into reality. And when it eventually did, RCB and KKR kickstarted the first edition of IPL at the Chinnaswamy stadium in Bengaluru. 17 seasons passed by and not once did we have a repeat of that clash for the start of IPL. 17 years is quite a duration. All those puzzles of why India failed to bag the (T20 WC) title despite boasting of having the best T20 league in the world have now been put to bed. Arise India, and the rest of the world. It's game time in Kolkata. Defending champions KKR take on RCB at the Eden Gardens.

North or South; East or West
Buckle up to witness India's best
All your evenings in IPL's nest
No escaping this blockbuster fest

Watch cricket Eat cricket Sleep cricket
Oh, what a shot...that is a huge wicket
Only one topic rules social chit-chat
Fans begin their hunt for ticket-ticket

Public place, private maze, parking space
School College Office - cricket-icing on the cake
App or snap, video or audio - One little glance
Everyone on the floor, checking - score..score..score

Lunch plans dinner dates
 Tummy full of butterflies
Mocktail mugs Coffee cups
IPL will be your fizzy pops

Toss views team news, oh so frenzy
Powerplay blues, ah so crazy
Middle overs...could be scary
oh slog overs, better be wary

Sunrise or Sunset
Get set for your electrolyte
Season gonna be a proper heist
Cricbuzz will be your daily treat

North or South; East or West
Buckle up to witness India's best

Worry not, you have arrived at the right destination. Make sure to stop (read: swipe) by for your daily dose of cricket. And without any further ado, your crew for today - Raju Peethala, alongside Ramakrishnan MS, our most-important scoring duo of Harish and Mukesh, welcome you to the start of the world's biggest cricket festival. First up, presenting you a cric-rhyme, to tap your feet, as we kickstart our coverage for this all-important clash...

17:45 local, 12:15 GMT:

Here is an early yet very-important update from our correspondent, Pratyush Sinha, from the ground. Hello! It's clear for now at Eden Gardens. It's been clear for a while, even the sun was peeping out, and the good news is that the forecast has improved.

17:40 local, 12:10 GMT: On your mark....get set...off you go IPL season 18. Get the trumpets out, and keep your dancing shoes on. IT IS HERE. The World's best cricket league is all ready to offer you a thrill-a-minute ride for the next couple of months.