Mumbai to take on Chennai in opening game on Sept 19

ABU DHABI, Sept 06 (Agencies): Despite having two key players withdraw, as well as seeing their start to training in the UAE delayed because of a Covid-19 outbreak within their contingent, Chennai Super Kings will still contest the opening game of the IPL.

MS Dhoni will lead out the three-time champions against the holders Mumbai Indians in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, September 19.

The following day, Dubai International Stadium will host its first game when Delhi Capitals take on Kings XI Punjab.

Sunrisers Hyderabad and Virat Kohli's Royal Challengers Bangalore will meet at the same venue a day later, before the competition moves to Sharjah.

Rajasthan Royals will meet CSK at the UAE's oldest venue on Tuesday September 22.

Over the course of the league phase of the competition, there will be 10 double-headers, with the opening matches starting at 2pm.

Evening matches will begin at 6pm.

The final league clash in this edition will be played between the Sun Risers Hyderabad (SRH) and MI in Sharjah on November 03.

The playoff and final dates and venues will be announced later. Match timings are 3.30 pm IST and 7.30 pm IST, for the double-headers. Dubai will host 24 matches, while Abu Dhabi will see 20 games and Sharjah 12.

Five of the 10 day games will be hosted by Abu Dhabi. Dubai will host four afternoon matches, while Sharjah will have only one match starting at 2 PM. All teams will play a minimum of two day games, with only RCB, KKR, RR and SRH set to play in three.

Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders will play 8 of their league matches in Abu Dhabi, while Sunrisers Hyderabad will play 8 of their games in Dubai. The maximum games Chennai Super Kings, Kings XI Punjab, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Delhi Capitals will play at a venue is 7 each in Dubai.

Rajasthan Royals, on the other hand, have an almost equal distribution of matches, with five being played in Abu Dhabi and 6 in Dubai. All teams will play three games each in Sharjah. In all, 24 matches will be held in Dubai, 20 in Abu Dhabi and 12 in Sharjah.

The league phase will run across 46 days, with the last match of the league to be played between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Mumbai Indians in Sharjah, on November 3. The dates and venues for IPL playoffs, the final and the women's T20 league have not been announced.