Defending champions Mumbai Indians play Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2014 opener
Defending champions Mumbai Indians and former winners Kolkata Knight Riders will clash in the opening match of the 2014 Indian Premier League. The first leg of the IPL will start in Abu Dhabi on April 16.
Defending champions Mumbai Indians will clash with 2012 winners Kolkata Knight Riders in the opening match of the 2014 Indian Premier League. The match will be played in Abu Dhabi on April 16. The first leg of the tournament will be played in the United Arab Emirates till April 30. (Also read: Kevin Pietersen eager to work with coach Gary Kirsten)
Twenty matches will be played in three Emirates stadiums: Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah's CA Stadium, Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Top Indian cricketers will return to Sharjah and Dubai after a gap of 14 years. Sharjah was banned as a venue in 2001 by the Indian government after reports of match-fixing involving top players emerged in the Nineties. (What Australian batsmen learnt from Virender Sehwag)
UAE was chosen an off-shore venue because the tournament clashed with the general elections. The second phase of the IPL, scheduled between May 1-12, is expected to be held in India. Bangladesh is an alternate venue. From May 13, all matches will be played in India. The final is scheduled on June 1.
On Wednesday, the IPL Governing Council announced the schedule of the UAE leg. The fixtures for the next 40 matches will be announced later.
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Here's the fixtures (all timings in IST):
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April 16: Mumbai Indians vs Kolkata Knight Riders, Abu Dhabi, 8 PM
April 17: Delhi Daredevils vs Royal Challengers Bangalore, Sharjah, 8PM
April 18: Chennai Super Kings vs Kings XI Punjab, Abu Dhabi, 4PM
April 18: Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Rajasthan Royals, Abu Dhabi 8 PM
April 19: Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Mumbai Indians, Dubai, 4 PM
April 19: Kolkata Knight Riders vs Delhi Daredevils, Dubai, 8 PM
April 20: Rajasthan Royals vs Kings XI Punjab, Sharjah 8 PM
April 21: Chennai Super Kings vs Delhi Daredevils, Abu Dhabi, 8 PM
April 22: Kings XI Punjab vs Sunrisers Hyderabad, Sharjah, 8 PM
April 23: Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings, Dubai 8 PM
April 24: Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Kolkata Knight Riders, Sharjah, 8 PM
April 25: Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Delhi Daredevils, Dubai 4 PM
April 25: Chennai Super Kings vs Mumbai Indians, Dubai, 8 PM
April 26: Rajasthan Royals vs Royal Challengers Bangalore, Abu Dhabi, 4 PM
April 26: Kings XI Punjab vs Kolkata Knight Riders, Abu Dhabi 8 PM
April 27: Delhi Daredevils vs Mumbai Indians, Sharjah, 4 PM
April 27: Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Chennai Super Kings, Sharjah, 8 PM
April 28: Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Kings XI Punjab, Dubai 8PM
April 29: Kolkata Knight Riders vs Rajasthan Royals, Abu Dhabi, 8PM
April 30: Mumbai Indians vs Sunrisers Hyderabad, Dubai 8PM