That time of the year again. The biggest extravaganza in world cricket is about to come forth. The wait is finally over and IPL 2024 is here to enthrall the imaginations of every cricket aficionado. This year’s IPL schedules have also been affected by the elections taking place in April and May.
IPL 2024: When and which teams for season opener ?
IPL 2024 gets underway on March 22 with the first match at Chennai MA Chidambaram Stadium at 8:00 PM with the defending champions Chennai Super Kings confronting Royal Challengers Bangalore. The final is expected to be played on May 26.
Top changes post IPL 2023
- Mumbai Indians came up with the biggest surprise and talking point of all. Hardik Pandya moved back to the Mumbai Indians. Wait, thats not it – 5 times IPL winning captain Rohit Sharma was replaced as captain by Hardik much to the awe and shock of the fans. But take nothing from Hardik, he is an IPL winning captain himself with Gujarat Titans. This should be interesting !
- The return of Rishabh Pant. Ever since being sidelined from action in 2022 over a serious car accident, he is all cleared and all set to captain Delhi Capitals once again. A year ago he wasn’t sure about playing cricket or donning the gloves again and here is everyone’s favourite Rishabh Pant.
- Gujarat Titans have a new captain – Shubman Gill. Last 2 sesons under Hardik saw GT attain consistency. Now that Hardik gone, GT will have to pull up the strings together and maintain the momentum for the franchise.
- Shreyas Iyer missed last year’s IPL due to injury. He is back and will replace Nitish Rana as captain. Kolkata Knight Riders has also roped in one of their most successful captain and mentor Gautam Gambhir as mentor. On the field or Off the field you can’t keep Gambhir’s passion and grit away.
- Pat Cummins can’t do nothing wrong, can he ? Well, that’s exactly what the Sunrisers Hyderabad franchise thinks too. After successfully lifting the world cup for Australia, he is back here to bring success for the Orange Army. Pat Cummins replaces Aiden Markram as captain.
- Well you also know Dhoni will be available and once again donning the captain’s duties for Chennai Super Kings.
IPL Stats Preview: T20s Performances since IPL 2023
| Player | Innings | Runs | HS | Average | SR |
| Finn Allen | 15 | 490 | 137 | 32.66 | 167.80 |
| Suryakumar Yadav | 11 | 466 | 100 | 42.36 | 157.96 |
| Glenn Philips | 15 | 432 | 70* | 39.27 | 138.90 |
| Yashaswi Jaiswal | 15 | 402 | 84* | 28.71 | 154.02 |
| Nicolas Pooran | 13 | 362 | 82 | 27.84 | 152.74 |
| Brandon King | 12 | 346 | 85* | 34.60 | 136.22 |
| Mitchell Marsh | 08 | 346 | 92* | 69.20 | 170.44 |
| Ruturaj Gaikwad | 08 | 340 | 123* | 68.00 | 151.11 |
| Rovman Powell | 12 | 340 | 63 | 34.00 | 166.66 |
| Tilak Varma | 14 | 334 | 55* | 37.11 | 144.58 |
*Stats updated until 20th March, 2023*
IPL Stats Preview: Most Runs scored in a single IPL season
| Player | Innings | Runs | Avg |
| Virat Kohli | 16 | 973 | 81.08 |
| Shubman Gill | 17 | 890 | 59.33 |
| Jos Buttler | 17 | 863 | 57.53 |
| David Warner | 17 | 848 | 60.57 |
| Kane Williamson | 17 | 735 | 52.50 |
| Chris Gayle | 14 | 733 | 61.08 |
| Michael Hussey | 17 | 733 | 52.35 |
| Faf Du Plessis | 14 | 730 | 56.15 |
| Chris Gayle | 16 | 708 | 59.00 |
| David Warner | 12 | 692 | 69.20 |
*Stats updated until 20th March, 2023*
IPL Stats Preview: Most 50+ scores in IPL
| Player | Innings | Runs | 50+ scores |
| David Warner | 176 | 6,397 | 65 |
| Virat Kohli | 229 | 7,263 | 57 |
| Shikhar Dhawan | 216 | 6,617 | 52 |
| Ab Devilliers | 170 | 5,162 | 43 |
| Rohit Sharma | 238 | 6,211 | 43 |
| Suresh Raina | 200 | 5,528 | 40 |
| KL Rahul | 109 | 4,163 | 37 |
| Chris Gayle | 141 | 4,965 | 37 |
| Gautam Gambhir | 152 | 4,217 | 36 |
| Faf Duplessis | 123 | 4,133 | 33 |
*Stats updated until 20th March, 2023*
This year’s IPL becomes all the more important with the T20 World Cup around the corner. Even though the team goals will be the primary aim, every individual will be looking forward to gain competitive edge over the other. All hands crossed for the big curtain raiser and the first match on Friday, March 22nd.
