MI play CSK in IPL opener on March 29

MUMBAI: The 2020 Indian Premier League season will kick-off with defending champions Mumbai Indians taking on Chennai Super Kings at home on March 29, the last Sunday of the month. The two are the most successful teams in the IPL history and in last season’s final MI had pipped CSK by one run at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, Hyderabad.

Among the other tournament favourites, Delhi Capitals, also play their first game at home, taking on Kings XI Punjab on March 30. The Virat Kohli-led Royal Challengers Bangalore will begin their campaign against Kolkata Knight Riders, at their homeground, M Chinnaswamy Stadium on March 31. Rajasthan Royals play their opening match away from home, against Chennai Super Kings in Chennai. Guwahati is expected to be added as a new venue with RR listed to have two matches there, on April 5 against Delhi Capitals, and on April 9 against KKR. If Guwahati doesn’t work out, then RR will play all their matches at Jaipur.

All the double headers are slated for Sundays, with the first one being on April 5. The last league match will be on May 17 between RCB and MI.

VARUN, SWAPNIL SLAM CENTURIES

MUMBAI: Varunlavande’s108and Swapnil Pradhan’s unbeaten 104 powered MIG to 372 for three against Bhatnagar S&CF in their Young Comrade Shield contest on Saturday. Kevin D’almeida also chipped in with 85. In another match, Jay Bista smacked 123 to lift Parkophene Cricketers to 324 for three against Fort Vijay CC.

BRIEF SCORES: MIG

372/3 in 58 overs (Varun Lavande 108, Swapnil Pradhan 104*, Kevin D’almeida 85, Gaurav Jathar 42) vs

Bhatnagar S&CF; Parkophene Cricketers

324/3 in 58 overs (Suved Parkar 67, Jai Bista 123, Prasad Pawar 66*, Sagar Mishra 45*) vs Fort Vijay CC; 213/5 in 56 overs (Aarya Satpute 66, Alpesh Ramjani 69*) vs 215/8 in 57 overs (Subramanian D 98*, Srujan Athawale 31, Kaustubh Pawar 43; Badre Alam 3/32, Parag Khanapurkar 3/40) vs

Apollo CC; Dr DY Patil SA Payyade SC CCI