NEW DELHI, (Reuters) – The popular Indian Premier League (IPL) will debut in Chennai on April 9 and be played across six venues, initially without spectators, India’s cricket board said today.
The world’s richest Twenty20 competition was moved to the UAE last year as India tackles the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sunday’s IPL governing council meeting decided to bring the tournament home but the pandemic forced several changes to the way it was played.
“This year’s IPL at home will be played behind closed doors initially and there will be a call to allow spectators to be taken later in the tournament,” Cricket Management Board for India (BCCI) secretary Jay Shah said in statement.
Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium will host the playoffs as well as the May 30 finals, with Bengaluru, Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata at the other venues.
The defending champions Mumbai Indians will face Royal Challengers Bangalore, led by India captain Virat Kohli in the first match.
The eight teams of the tournament will play all their matches in neutral venues.
“The tournament games are mapped in such a way that each team travels only three times during the league stage, reducing commuting and reducing risk,” said Shah.
“Having run the tournament safely and successfully in the UAE last year … the BCCI is confident of conducting the IPL at home with the health and safety of players and all participants taking part,” he added .
Smartphone maker Vivo returned as the title sponsor of the league after withdrawing from last year’s tournament amidst backlash against Chinese companies in India.
South African Chris Morris became IPL’s most expensive buy at the players’ auction last month after being bought for a staggering $ 2.22 million by Rajasthan Royals.