The world’s most exciting franchise cricket league, IPL, is set to kick off its new season this Saturday. Here’s a look at the key changes and details you need to know about this year’s event.
Robin Uthappa’s Bold Statement
Robin Uthappa has referred to the IPL as the “undisputed daddy” of all T20 leagues. While some might disagree with the former Indian batsman, there is little doubt that the statement holds significant truth. IPL remains the most glamorous and thrilling T20 league, captivating cricket fans worldwide for two months while India immerses itself in cricket frenzy.
Eighteenth Season Begins
The 18th edition of this cricket festival starts this Saturday. Before the tournament begins, let’s take a closer look at the key details of this season.
Opening Match and Final Venue
This season will open with a match between last year’s champions Kolkata Knight Riders and the title-less Royal Challengers Bangalore at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, starting at 8 PM Bangladesh time.
An exciting opening ceremony is planned with various attractions.
This year, 74 matches will be played over more than two months. The first Qualifier and Eliminator matches will be held in Hyderabad on May 20 and 21, respectively. The second Qualifier will take place in Kolkata on May 23, with the final also set for Eden Gardens on May 25.
10 Teams, 13 Venues
Although there are 10 teams, the matches will be played across 13 venues in India. Three franchises have two home grounds.
- Delhi Capitals also play in Visakhapatnam.
- Punjab Kings host matches in Dharamshala and Mullanpur.
- Rajasthan Royals split their matches between Jaipur and Guwahati.
The other seven teams each have a single home ground.
Tournament Format
No changes have been made to the tournament format this year. The 10 teams are divided into two groups. Each team plays twice against the four teams in its group (home and away). They also play two matches against one team from the other group, determined by seeding, and one match against the remaining four teams.
In the group stage, each team plays 14 matches — 7 at home and 7 away. The top four teams advance to the playoffs.
Group A: Chennai Super Kings, Kolkata Knight Riders, Rajasthan Royals, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Punjab Kings
Group B: Mumbai Indians, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Gujarat Titans, Delhi Capitals, Lucknow Super Giants
Match Timings
Afternoon matches start at 4 PM Bangladesh time, and evening matches at 8 PM.
New Leadership
Five of the 10 teams will have new captains this year.
- Shreyas Iyer, who led Kolkata to the title last year, is now Punjab’s captain.
- Rishabh Pant has moved from Delhi to Lucknow as captain.
- Ajinkya Rahane leads Kolkata.
- Axar Patel is the new Delhi captain.
- Rajat Patidar leads Bangalore.
The other five teams retain their previous captains: Hardik Pandya (Mumbai), Pat Cummins (Hyderabad), Ruturaj Gaikwad (Chennai), Shubman Gill (Gujarat), and Sanju Samson (Rajasthan).
Due to a suspension, Suryakumar Yadav will captain Mumbai in the first match instead of Hardik Pandya. Sanju Samson will only bat in the first three matches due to a finger injury, with Riyan Parag captaining Rajasthan during this period.
Coaching Staff Changes
There have been many coaching staff changes this season.
- Ricky Ponting left Delhi Capitals to become head coach of Punjab Kings.
- Hemang Badani is Delhi’s new head coach, with Matthew Mott as his assistant. Kevin Pietersen joins as the team’s mentor.
- Rahul Dravid, who stepped down after winning the T20 World Cup with India, is now the head coach of Rajasthan Royals.
- Gautam Gambhir has replaced Dravid in the Indian team, with Dwayne Bravo taking over as Kolkata’s mentor.
- Matthew Wade, last season’s Gujarat player, is now the team’s assistant coach.
- Otis Gibson, former Bangladesh bowling coach, is Kolkata’s assistant coach.
Most Expensive Players
It was expected that Rishabh Pant and Shreyas Iyer would dominate the auction, and they did.
- Lucknow acquired Pant for a record 27 crore rupees.
- Punjab spent 26.75 crore rupees on Shreyas Iyer.
- Kolkata released and re-signed Venkatesh Iyer for 23.75 crore rupees.
- Hyderabad retained Heinrich Klaasen for 23 crore rupees.
Dhoni at a Bargain Price
Chennai Super Kings retained their iconic MS Dhoni for just 4 crore rupees. This was possible due to a rule allowing players to be considered ‘uncapped’ if five years had passed since their last match for India. Dhoni last played for India in the 2019 World Cup.
Rule Changes
This season brings back the traditional practice of shining the ball with saliva, which was banned during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally:
- To reduce dew’s impact, a second ball may be used after the 11th over if needed.
- Hawk-Eye technology will now be used to check wide and high deliveries.
- Slow over-rate penalties for captains have been replaced with fines, demerit points, and field restrictions.
Notable Absentees
- Jasprit Bumrah will miss the first few matches due to injury.
- Afghan mystery spinner AM Ghazanfar and South African pacer Lizaad Williams are out with injuries. Mumbai has replaced them with Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Corbin Bosch.
- Mayank Yadav will miss Lucknow’s first few matches.
- Harry Brook is facing a two-year ban.
- Mitchell Marsh will only bat this season due to injury.
- Brydon Carse is out with a foot injury, replaced by Viaan Mulder at Hyderabad.
