IPL 2025 preview: Jos Buttler, Phil Salt and Liam Livingstone have point to prove

Whilst attention in England shifts to the beginning of the domestic red ball season, early Spring also signals the arrival of cricket’s most prestigious franchise tournament – the Indian Premier League.

Known as IPL, the tournament returns on Saturday for its 18th edition as reigning champions Kolkata Knight Riders take on Royal Challengers Bangalore at Eden Gardens.

Here, Sports News Blitz’s cricket writer Dom Harris takes a look at some of the key talking points that will unfold over the next two months.