Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) perform traditional pooja at Eden Gardens ahead of starting their first training session ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025.
Image: IANS
Defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) got their pre-tournament camp underway in Kolkata with a prayer ceremony on the Eden Gardens pitch in Kolkata this week.
The coaching staff, led by head coach Chandrakant Pandit, and players participated in the ceremony before commencing cricketing activities at the historic cricketing venue.
Captain Ajinkya Rahane and Eden Gardens’ pitch curator Sujan Mukherjee performed the rituals as an ode to cricket, seeking blessings for another successful IPL campaign.
Speaking ahead of the start of the camp, head coach Pandit said, “We have already planned our training sessions. A few international players are unavailable because of the Champions Trophy, but we have most of our key players here. It’s a great feeling as we are coming back to our home ground, especially after the season we had last time around, and we would like to continue that momentum. There is a different motivation in the team.”
Eden Gardens, with a capacity of over 68 000 spectators, remains one of cricket's most celebrated venues and will once again host all of KKR's home matches in the upcoming season.
KKR took the IPL 2024 championship trophy on a ride through the City of Joy as they concluded their celebratory trophy tour in spectacular fashion.
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) ambassadors car
Image: ANI
The prized silverware travelled across Kolkata's most beloved landmarks in the city's Yellow Ambassador Taxi, specially decorated in KKR's signature purple and gold colours.
The Ambassador taxi, adorned with the team hashtag #AmiKKR and motto ‘Korbo, Lordo, Jeetbo, ’transformed into a moving tribute to the team's third IPL title.
The interior featured custom purple upholstery with gold accents, along with imagery of this taxi over the years. The defending champions will begin their IPL 2025 campaign against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru at their home ground on March 22.
The 18th edition of the prestigious tournament will commence on March 22 and the final will be played on May 25.
The 74 matches of the season will be played across 13 venues and will include 12 double-headers.
The first of the 12 double-headers day will take place on March 23, 2025 as Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) face Rajasthan Royals (RR) in an afternoon game in Hyderabad. This will be followed by a clash in the evening as the two five-time IPL champions – Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Mumbai Indians (MI) – lock horns at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.