The countdown to the Indian Premier League (IPL), the biggest sporting festival in India, began months ago with the first match to be played at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai before starting on March 26.
There are 10 teams in this edition of IPL, with two new editions to the team roaster. The two new teams formed are the Gujarat Titans and Lucknow Super Giants.
What is new in this season of IPL?
The 15th IPL brings a little twist with it. In addition to the two new teams, now there will be a group format between all these teams. The teams will play the same number of matches which is 14 making no change to the team’s schedules.
The teams are divided into two groups, with five in each one. There is Group A, and Group B. Group A consists of teams like Mumbai Indians, KKR, Rajasthan Royals, Delhi Capitals, and Lucknow Supergiants. At the same time, Group B has giants like Chennai Super Kings, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Punjab Kings, and Gujarat Titans.
Each team plays two matches with the members of its group while they will only face their rivals from the other group once in all competition.
Due to the ongoing pandemic, BCCI has decided on only four venues to host IPL. It includes Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai, DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, and MCA International Stadium in Pune.
Introduction of the two new teams
Gujarat Titans (GT)
This team is owned by CVC Capital, a private equity firm. The Gujarat Titans sat for the first time in the mega-auction, held in February this year. The team added a few big names to its Kitty, including players like Hardik Pandya, the Captain of the team bought for a whopping 15 Crore. Mumbai Indians released Pandya after last year’s edition. One more strong addition to this team is Indian fast bowler Mohammad Shami who was bought for 6.25 Crore, and even the young opening batsman Shubman Gill. There are a few big foreign names as well, like David Miller(Australia), Matthew Wade(Australia), and one of the biggest in the game Rashid Khan(Afghanistan). Gujarat Titans have a total of 23 players on its team. Its coach is former cricketer Ashish Nehra.
The Gujarat Titans will play their first match on March 28 against Lucknow Super Giants’ new rivals.
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)
New to the IPL, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) is owned by RPSG Group and Indian Businessman Sanjeev Goenka. Lucknow Super Giants spared no expense, and the team even has its team anthem called “Ab Apni Baari hai” (“Now it’s our time”) by the famous Indian rapper Badshah. The Super Giants spent almost 60 crores in the mega auction in which they managed to buy one Indian opener, KL Rahul, for 17 crores. Rahul will be seen leading the team this year. Besides Rahul, LSG bought an Indian spinner, Krunal Pandya. The team lacks big names but is fully confident about its prospect this IPL. Overseas players included in the squad are Marcus Stoinis (Australia), an all-rounder, Wicketkeeper Quinton De Kock (South Africa). The legendary Gary Kirsten coaches the team.
