IPL Captains and Franchise Managers to Meet at BCCI Headquarters on March 20

As the Indian Premier League (IPL) gets ready for yet another high-voltage season, all ten captains and franchise heads are set to meet at the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) headquarters in Mumbai on March 20. This high-stakes pre-season meeting, at noon at the Cricket Centre, is likely to be the forum for serious talks and updates before the start of the tournament.

A Break with Tradition-BCCI Office as the Venue for the Meeting

The pre-season captains' meeting and traditional photo shoot are normally held in the city hosting the IPL opener. This year, though, opting to hold the event at the BCCI office in Mumbai seems to be a break with tradition, perhaps pointing to important updates or strategic planning beyond the general briefing on tournament rules and policy.

The session itself is likely to take about an hour, where franchise managers and captains will be briefed on the current developments, policy changes, and any changes in the tournament structure. This session will be followed by the group moving to the Taj Hotel for sponsor activities. The whole program is scheduled to take about four hours, with the highly awaited official photo shoot of all ten captains being the culmination.

Confirmed Captains and Arrival Updates

As the tournament draws near, captains of all ten franchises have been confirmed. It is especially important to note that Delhi Capitals just named Axar Patel their skipper. The complete list of captains for next season includes:

Hardik Pandya (Mumbai Indians)

Pat Cummins (Sunrisers Hyderabad)

Ruturaj Gaikwad (Chennai Super Kings)

Rajat Patidar (Royal Challengers Bengaluru)

Rishabh Pant (Lucknow Super Giants)

Shreyas Iyer (Punjab Kings)

Sanju Samson (Rajasthan Royals)

Ajinkya Rahane (Kolkata Knight Riders)

Shubman Gill (Gujarat Titans)

Axar Patel (Delhi Capitals)

Several captains have already reported to their respective franchises, with players who participated in the recent Champions Trophy also rejoining their squads. Australian captain Pat Cummins, who will be leading Sunrisers Hyderabad, arrived in Hyderabad on Sunday. Despite the tight schedule that includes the World Test Championship final at Lord’s starting June 11—just two weeks after the IPL final on May 25—Cummins has reassured his franchise of his full commitment to the IPL season.

Expectations Mount for Season Opener

The eagerly awaited IPL 2025 season begins on March 22 at Eden Gardens, when defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders clash with Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The season opener is being touted as an explosive beginning to a tournament replete with high-octane action, glamourous line-ups, and suspenseful finishes.

With the pre-season captains' conference lined up only two days prior to the start of the tournament, this meeting will be a key milestone to synchronize all teams on the most recent information, rules, and tournament policies. As a result of the shift in location and significance accorded to the meeting, there is widespread speculation regarding possible new developments from the BCCI that might alter the tournament format or operations.

What to Expect from the Meeting

The captains' meeting during the pre-season is more than a ceremonial event; it is a platform for frank discussions between team captains and the governing body of the IPL. Although the agenda has not been clearly outlined, the most important items that are likely to be discussed are:

Tournament rules and any changes for the season

Code of conduct and disciplinary policy

Player workload management plans

Innovations in broadcasting, sponsorship, and fan interaction

Operational and logistical details of the tournament

As the franchise managers and captains gather at the BCCI headquarters, the cricketing fraternity will be waiting with bated breath for any significant announcements that might define the 2025 IPL season. With new leadership dynamics, high-profile player exchanges, and strategic team composition changes, the next edition is all set to be one of the most thrilling ones.

With expectations high, the fans are looking forward to watching their favorite celebrities grab the limelight, and the countdown to March 22 has officially started.