Ladies and gentlemen, the greatest cricketing show on the planet begins tomorrow afternoon at 2pm UK time.
The 2025 edition of the Indian Premier League promises to be the most exciting yet, with the very best white-ball players in the world looking to further enhance their global statuses.
Kolkata Knight Riders are the defending champions following their comfortable victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad in last year’s final.
KKR open this year’s tournament with a home match against Virat Kohli’s Royal Challengers Bengaluru side.
To celebrate the start of the epic 20-over tournament, NetBet Sport has provided some betting tips for the first round of fixtures between tomorrow and Monday.
We will provide only the best cricket odds throughout the competition, part of our ongoing mission to deliver the best online betting experience!
*All odds are subject to change
Royal Challengers Bengaluru to beat Kolkata Knight Riders @ 1.94
While defending champions KKR are understandably the favourites on home soil, we fancy RCB to spring something of a surprise. The first match of any franchise tournament is always slightly unpredictable, particularly given the changes to all the teams following the recent Mega Auction. England duo Phil Salt and Liam Livingstone could form part of a deadly batting line-up alongside Kohli and if RCB’s bowling attack can click this year, with Aussie quick Josh Hazelwood closing in on a return from injury, they can certainly challenge at the top.
Sunrisers Hyderabad top batter vs Rajasthan Royals: Travis Head @ 4.00
When it comes to the best white-ball batters in world cricket, Head is firmly in the conversation. The Aussie destroyer thrives in Indian conditions and enjoyed a hugely successful 2024 IPL campaign at the top of the SRH order. Head scored 567 runs at a strike rate of 191.55 and we are tipping him to light up Hyderabad’s stadium once again on Sunday.
Chennai Super Kings to beat Mumbai Indians @ 1.85
The IPL’s version of El Clasico is scheduled for Sunday and it is a fixture which rarely disappoints. MS Dhoni and CSK have a fantastic record on home soil, which they will be eager to protect against their rivals. As per usual, MI’s team is formidable on paper, with overseas stars Trent Boult, Mitchell Santner and Ryan Rickelton joining the likes of Rohit Shama and Suryakumar Yadav. But MI usually start IPL campaigns slowly, a trend that may well continue at Chepauk.
Delhi Capitals top batter vs Lucknow Super Giants: Tristan Stubbs @ 7.00
Okay, this selection is a bit of a risk, given Stubbs is seen as a finisher and behind the likes of KL Rahul, Faf du Plessis, Jake Fraser-McGurk and Abishek Porel in DC’s strongest batting XI. However, if wickets fall early, Stubbs has proven his ability to rebuild an innings, as well as smack it to the boundary, so there is method to the madness here. The South African all-rounder averaged 54.00 with the bat in the 2024 edition of the IPL and has two Test centuries to his name.
Gujarat Titans top batter vs Punjab Kings: Jos Buttler @ 3.40
This tip is far less risky than the one above. Former England white-ball captain Buttler will be representing a new franchise in 2025 after a successful stint in Rajasthan, set to form a lethal opening combo alongside Indian star Shubman Gill in Gujarat. Buttler is a true legend of the IPL with over 3,500 runs scored and seven centuries recorded. Can he deliver the goods on his Titans debut? We are backing him to do so!
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