CSK to launch IPL title defence against KKR in season opener
NEW DELHI: Defending champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will take on fellow finalists of the last season, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the opening match of IPL 2022 on March 26 at the Wankhede Stadium, the BCCI confirmed on Sunday while announcing the schedule for the 15th season of the cash-rich league.
Led by former India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Kings will play last year’s runners-up Kolkata, who they defeated in Dubai for their fourth title in 14 seasons.
Ten teams, including new franchises Lucknow Super Giants and Gujarat Titans, will feature in 70 league matches and four playoffs in 65 days before the final on May 29.
The lucrative competition returns home -to the western Indian cities of Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and Pune -- ater its last two editions were disrupted because of the coronavirus pandemic and moved to the UAE.
The cricket administrators hope limiting venues to the three cities in Maharashtra state will reduce the risk of coronavirus exposure for players and officials.
In all, 20 matches each will be held at Wankhede Stadium & DY Patil Stadium, 15 matches each at Brabourne and MCA International Stadium, Pune, the league said in a statement.
The league will stage its first double-header on March 27, starting with a day game at Brabourne where the Delhi Capitals will square off against Mumbai Indians. The DY Patil Stadium will host the clash between Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore at night.
The MCA Stadium in Pune will host its first game on March 29 when Sunrisers Hyderabad take on Rajasthan Royals.
Overall, there will be 12 doubleheaders in total with the first match starting at 1530 hrs IST. All evening matches will start at 1930 hrs IST.
The final game of the league stage will be played between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Punjab Kings on May 22 at the Wankhede Stadium.
The schedule for the Playoffs and the IPL 2022 final, to be played on 29th May will be announced later.
India is the world’s second-most infected nation ater the US, with nearly 43 million Covid-19 cases, but cases have eased ater a spike earlier this year due to the highly infectious Omicron strain.
With infection numbers now falling, authorities in Maharashtra last week approved 25 per cent atendance for the cricket matches.
Jay Shah, secretary of the Board of Control for cricket in India, said in a statement that the schedule for the playoffs and the final “will be announced later.”
The league is a huge revenue earner for the wealthy cricket control board and estimated to generate more than $11 billion for the Indian economy.