Thought you saw it all, felt it all, enjoyed it all in the 50-over World Cup? Well, take a 6-day breather before IPL 4 hits your frayed senses! Gear up for a highly flammable couple of months, as the 2011 edition of the IPL gets under way at Chepauk Stadium, Chennai, starting April 8!
Last time round, 8 teams competed in a blockbuster double round-robin tournament that spanned 60 matches. In this stretch of the IPL marathon, however, the addition of the Pune Warriors and the Kochi Tuskers Kerala will mean 10 franchises will go at loggerheads with one another. With a streamlined format this season, 74 matches will be played over 13 venues across India, and the knock-out stages will be played under a play-off structure. Navi Mumbai and Kochi come in as the new home venues and will look to cheer their IPL-rookie sides into matching their more experienced opponents.
Lalit Modi ran the first three laps of the Indian Premier League with flamboyance and grandeur. His tenure as IPL architect, Chairman and Commisioner enabled the IPL to rise from an uncut diamond of an idea to an opulent ornament. However, as events unfolded, raids were conducted, administrations were overhauled, and it became clear that with great power comes great need for transparency. Now, with the baton handed over to BCCI Vice-President Chirayu Amin, who is said to be a keen strategist with an eye for the betterment of cricket, there is expected to be a lot less sludge, and a lot more cricketainment!
Our picks of each segment - weekend / weekday are highlighted in blue.
Weekend 1
1. Fri 08/04/2011 8pm, Chennai Super Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders, Chennai
2. Sat 09/04/2011 4pm, Deccan Chargers vs Rajasthan Royals, Hyderabad
3. Sat 09/04/2011 8pm, Kochi Tuskers Kerala vs Royal Challengers Bangalore, Kochi
4. Sun 10/04/2011 4pm, Delhi Daredevils vs Mumbai Indians, Delhi
5. Sun 10/04/2011 8pm, Pune Warriors vs Kings XI Punjab, Navi Mumbai
Week 1
6. Mon 11/04/2011 8pm, Kolkata Knight Riders vs Deccan Chargers, Kolkata
7. Tue 12/04/2011 4pm, Rajasthan Royals vs Delhi Daredevils, Jaipur
8. Tue 12/04/2011 8pm, Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Mumbai Indians, Bangalore
9. Wed 13/04/2011 4pm, Kings XI Punjab vs Chennai Super Kings, Mohali
10. Wed 13/04/2011 8pm, Pune Warriors vs Kochi Tuskers Kerala, Navi Mumbai
11. Thu 14/04/2011 8pm, Deccan Chargers vs Royal Challengers Bangalore, Hyderabad
12. Fri 15/04/2011 4pm, Rajasthan Royals vs Kolkata Knight Riders, Jaipur
Weekend 2
13. Fri 15/04/2011 8pm, Mumbai Indians vs Kochi Tuskers Kerala, Mumbai
14. Sat 16/04/2011 4pm, Chennai Super Kings vs Royal Challengers Bangalore, Chennai
15. Sat 16/04/2011 8pm, Deccan Chargers vs Kings XI Punjab, Hyderabad
16. Sun 17/04/2011 4pm, Pune Warriors vs Delhi Daredevils, Navi Mumbai
17. Sun 17/04/2011 8pm, Kolkata Knight Riders vs Rajasthan Royals, Kolkata
Week 2
18. Mon 18/04/2011 8pm, Kochi Tuskers Kerala vs Chennai Super Kings, Kochi
19. Tue 19/04/2011 4pm, Delhi Daredevils vs Deccan Chargers, Delhi
20. Tue 19/04/2011 8pm, Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Rajasthan Royals, Bangalore
21. Wed 20/04/2011 4pm, Mumbai Indians vs Pune Warriors, Mumbai
22. Wed 20/04/2011 8pm, Kolkata Knight Riders vs Kochi Tuskers Kerala, Kolkata
23. Thu 21/04/2011 8pm, Kings XI Punjab vs Rajasthan Royals, Mohali
24. Fri 22/04/2011 4pm, Kolkata Knight Riders vs Royal Challengers Bangalore, Kolkata
Weekend 3
25. Fri 22/04/2011 8pm, Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai
26. Sat 23/04/2011 8pm, Delhi Daredevils vs Kings XI Punjab, Delhi
27. Sun 24/04/2011 4pm, Deccan Chargers vs Mumbai Indians, Hyderabad
28. Sun 24/04/2011 8pm, Rajasthan Royals vs Kochi Tuskers Kerala, Jaipur
Week 3
29. Mon 25/04/2011 8pm, Chennai Super Kings vs Pune Warriors, Chennai
30. Tue 26/04/2011 8pm, Delhi Daredevils vs Royal Challengers Bangalore, Delhi
31. Wed 27/04/2011 4pm, Pune Warriors vs Chennai Super Kings, Navi Mumbai
32. Wed 27/04/2011 8pm, Kochi Tuskers Kerala vs Deccan Chargers, Kochi
33. Thu 28/04/2011 8pm, Delhi Daredevils vs Kolkata Knight Riders, Delhi
34. Fri 29/04/2011 4pm, Rajasthan Royals vs Mumbai Indians, Jaipur
Weekend 4
35. Fri 29/04/2011 8pm, Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Pune Warriors, Bangalore
36. Sat 30/04/2011 4pm, Kochi Tuskers Kerala vs Delhi Daredevils, Kochi
37. Sat 30/04/2011 8pm, Kolkata Knight Riders vs Kings XI Punjab, Kolkata
38. Sun 01/05/2011 4pm, Rajasthan Royals vs Pune Warriors, Jaipur
39. Sun 01/05/2011 8pm, Chennai Super Kings vs Deccan Chargers, Chennai
Week 4
40. Mon 02/05/2011 4pm, Mumbai Indians vs Kings XI Punjab, Mumbai
41. Mon 02/05/2011 8pm, Delhi Daredevils vs Kochi Tuskers Kerala, Delhi
42. Tue 03/05/2011 8pm, Deccan Chargers vs Kolkata Knight Riders, Hyderabad
43. Wed 04/05/2011 4pm, Chennai Super Kings vs Rajasthan Royals, Chennai
44. Wed 04/05/2011 8pm, Pune Warriors vs Mumbai Indians, Navi Mumbai
45. Thu 05/05/2011 4pm, Kochi Tuskers Kerala vs Kolkata Knight Riders, Kochi
46. Thu 05/05/2011 8pm, Deccan Chargers vs Delhi Daredevils, Hyderabad
Weekend 5
47. Fri 06/05/2011 8pm, Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Kings XI Punjab, Bangalore
48. Sat 07/05/2011 4pm, Kolkata Knight Riders vs Chennai Super Kings, Kolkata
49. Sat 07/05/2011 8pm, Mumbai Indians vs Delhi Daredevils, Mumbai
50. Sun 08/05/2011 4pm, Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Kochi Tuskers Kerala, Bangalore
51. Sun 08/05/2011 8pm, Kings XI Punjab vs Pune Warriors, Mohali
Week 5
52. Mon 09/05/2011 8pm, Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings, Jaipur
53. Tue 10/05/2011 4pm, Deccan Chargers vs Pune Warriors, Hyderabad
54. Tue 10/05/2011 8pm, Kings XI Punjab vs Mumbai Indians, Mohali
55. Wed 11/05/2011 8pm, Rajasthan Royals vs Royal Challengers Bangalore, Jaipur
56. Thu 12/05/2011 8pm, Chennai Super Kings vs Delhi Daredevils, Chennai
Weekend 6
57. Fri 13/05/2011 8pm, Kochi Tuskers Kerala vs Kings XI Punjab, Indore
58. Sat 14/05/2011 4pm, Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Kolkata Knight Riders, Bangalore
59. Sat 14/05/2011 8pm, Mumbai Indians vs Deccan Chargers, Mumbai
60. Sun 15/05/2011 4pm, Kings XI Punjab vs Delhi Daredevils, Dharamsala
61. Sun 15/05/2011 8pm, Kochi Tuskers Kerala vs Rajasthan Royals, Indore
Week 6
62. Mon 16/05/2011 8pm, Pune Warriors vs Deccan Chargers, Navi Mumbai
63. Tue 17/05/2011 8pm, Kings XI Punjab vs Royal Challengers Bangalore, Dharamsala
64. Wed 18/05/2011 8pm, Chennai Super Kings vs Kochi Tuskers Kerala, Chennai
65. Thu 19/05/2011 8pm, Pune Warriors vs Kolkata Knight Riders, Navi Mumbai
Weekend 7
66. Fri 20/05/2011 8pm, Mumbai Indians vs Rajasthan Royals, Mumbai
67. Sat 21/05/2011 4pm, Kings XI Punjab vs Deccan Chargers, Dharamsala
68. Sat 21/05/2011 8pm, Delhi Daredevils vs Pune Warriors, Delhi
69. Sun 22/05/2011 4pm, Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Chennai Super Kings, Bangalore
Play-offs:
70. Tue 24/05/2011 8pm, Qualifier 1: First Placed Team vs Second Placed Team, Mumbai
71. Wed 25/05/2011 8pm, Eliminator: Third Placed Team vs Fourth Placed Team, Mumbai
72. Fri 27/05/2011 8pm, Qualifier 2: Winner of Eliminator vs Loser of Qualifier 1, Chennai
73. Sat 28/05/2011 8pm, Winner of Qualifier 1 vs Winner of Qualifier 2, Chennai
Last time round, 8 teams competed in a blockbuster double round-robin tournament that spanned 60 matches. In this stretch of the IPL marathon, however, the addition of the Pune Warriors and the Kochi Tuskers Kerala will mean 10 franchises will go at loggerheads with one another. With a streamlined format this season, 74 matches will be played over 13 venues across India, and the knock-out stages will be played under a play-off structure. Navi Mumbai and Kochi come in as the new home venues and will look to cheer their IPL-rookie sides into matching their more experienced opponents.
Lalit Modi ran the first three laps of the Indian Premier League with flamboyance and grandeur. His tenure as IPL architect, Chairman and Commisioner enabled the IPL to rise from an uncut diamond of an idea to an opulent ornament. However, as events unfolded, raids were conducted, administrations were overhauled, and it became clear that with great power comes great need for transparency. Now, with the baton handed over to BCCI Vice-President Chirayu Amin, who is said to be a keen strategist with an eye for the betterment of cricket, there is expected to be a lot less sludge, and a lot more cricketainment!
Our picks of each segment - weekend / weekday are highlighted in blue.
Weekend 1
1. Fri 08/04/2011 8pm, Chennai Super Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders, Chennai
2. Sat 09/04/2011 4pm, Deccan Chargers vs Rajasthan Royals, Hyderabad
3. Sat 09/04/2011 8pm, Kochi Tuskers Kerala vs Royal Challengers Bangalore, Kochi
4. Sun 10/04/2011 4pm, Delhi Daredevils vs Mumbai Indians, Delhi
5. Sun 10/04/2011 8pm, Pune Warriors vs Kings XI Punjab, Navi Mumbai
Week 1
6. Mon 11/04/2011 8pm, Kolkata Knight Riders vs Deccan Chargers, Kolkata
7. Tue 12/04/2011 4pm, Rajasthan Royals vs Delhi Daredevils, Jaipur
8. Tue 12/04/2011 8pm, Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Mumbai Indians, Bangalore
9. Wed 13/04/2011 4pm, Kings XI Punjab vs Chennai Super Kings, Mohali
10. Wed 13/04/2011 8pm, Pune Warriors vs Kochi Tuskers Kerala, Navi Mumbai
11. Thu 14/04/2011 8pm, Deccan Chargers vs Royal Challengers Bangalore, Hyderabad
12. Fri 15/04/2011 4pm, Rajasthan Royals vs Kolkata Knight Riders, Jaipur
Weekend 2
13. Fri 15/04/2011 8pm, Mumbai Indians vs Kochi Tuskers Kerala, Mumbai
14. Sat 16/04/2011 4pm, Chennai Super Kings vs Royal Challengers Bangalore, Chennai
15. Sat 16/04/2011 8pm, Deccan Chargers vs Kings XI Punjab, Hyderabad
16. Sun 17/04/2011 4pm, Pune Warriors vs Delhi Daredevils, Navi Mumbai
17. Sun 17/04/2011 8pm, Kolkata Knight Riders vs Rajasthan Royals, Kolkata
Week 2
18. Mon 18/04/2011 8pm, Kochi Tuskers Kerala vs Chennai Super Kings, Kochi
19. Tue 19/04/2011 4pm, Delhi Daredevils vs Deccan Chargers, Delhi
20. Tue 19/04/2011 8pm, Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Rajasthan Royals, Bangalore
21. Wed 20/04/2011 4pm, Mumbai Indians vs Pune Warriors, Mumbai
22. Wed 20/04/2011 8pm, Kolkata Knight Riders vs Kochi Tuskers Kerala, Kolkata
23. Thu 21/04/2011 8pm, Kings XI Punjab vs Rajasthan Royals, Mohali
24. Fri 22/04/2011 4pm, Kolkata Knight Riders vs Royal Challengers Bangalore, Kolkata
Weekend 3
25. Fri 22/04/2011 8pm, Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai
26. Sat 23/04/2011 8pm, Delhi Daredevils vs Kings XI Punjab, Delhi
27. Sun 24/04/2011 4pm, Deccan Chargers vs Mumbai Indians, Hyderabad
28. Sun 24/04/2011 8pm, Rajasthan Royals vs Kochi Tuskers Kerala, Jaipur
Week 3
29. Mon 25/04/2011 8pm, Chennai Super Kings vs Pune Warriors, Chennai
30. Tue 26/04/2011 8pm, Delhi Daredevils vs Royal Challengers Bangalore, Delhi
31. Wed 27/04/2011 4pm, Pune Warriors vs Chennai Super Kings, Navi Mumbai
32. Wed 27/04/2011 8pm, Kochi Tuskers Kerala vs Deccan Chargers, Kochi
33. Thu 28/04/2011 8pm, Delhi Daredevils vs Kolkata Knight Riders, Delhi
34. Fri 29/04/2011 4pm, Rajasthan Royals vs Mumbai Indians, Jaipur
Weekend 4
35. Fri 29/04/2011 8pm, Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Pune Warriors, Bangalore
36. Sat 30/04/2011 4pm, Kochi Tuskers Kerala vs Delhi Daredevils, Kochi
37. Sat 30/04/2011 8pm, Kolkata Knight Riders vs Kings XI Punjab, Kolkata
38. Sun 01/05/2011 4pm, Rajasthan Royals vs Pune Warriors, Jaipur
39. Sun 01/05/2011 8pm, Chennai Super Kings vs Deccan Chargers, Chennai
Week 4
40. Mon 02/05/2011 4pm, Mumbai Indians vs Kings XI Punjab, Mumbai
41. Mon 02/05/2011 8pm, Delhi Daredevils vs Kochi Tuskers Kerala, Delhi
42. Tue 03/05/2011 8pm, Deccan Chargers vs Kolkata Knight Riders, Hyderabad
43. Wed 04/05/2011 4pm, Chennai Super Kings vs Rajasthan Royals, Chennai
44. Wed 04/05/2011 8pm, Pune Warriors vs Mumbai Indians, Navi Mumbai
45. Thu 05/05/2011 4pm, Kochi Tuskers Kerala vs Kolkata Knight Riders, Kochi
46. Thu 05/05/2011 8pm, Deccan Chargers vs Delhi Daredevils, Hyderabad
Weekend 5
47. Fri 06/05/2011 8pm, Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Kings XI Punjab, Bangalore
48. Sat 07/05/2011 4pm, Kolkata Knight Riders vs Chennai Super Kings, Kolkata
49. Sat 07/05/2011 8pm, Mumbai Indians vs Delhi Daredevils, Mumbai
50. Sun 08/05/2011 4pm, Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Kochi Tuskers Kerala, Bangalore
51. Sun 08/05/2011 8pm, Kings XI Punjab vs Pune Warriors, Mohali
Week 5
52. Mon 09/05/2011 8pm, Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings, Jaipur
53. Tue 10/05/2011 4pm, Deccan Chargers vs Pune Warriors, Hyderabad
54. Tue 10/05/2011 8pm, Kings XI Punjab vs Mumbai Indians, Mohali
55. Wed 11/05/2011 8pm, Rajasthan Royals vs Royal Challengers Bangalore, Jaipur
56. Thu 12/05/2011 8pm, Chennai Super Kings vs Delhi Daredevils, Chennai
Weekend 6
57. Fri 13/05/2011 8pm, Kochi Tuskers Kerala vs Kings XI Punjab, Indore
58. Sat 14/05/2011 4pm, Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Kolkata Knight Riders, Bangalore
59. Sat 14/05/2011 8pm, Mumbai Indians vs Deccan Chargers, Mumbai
60. Sun 15/05/2011 4pm, Kings XI Punjab vs Delhi Daredevils, Dharamsala
61. Sun 15/05/2011 8pm, Kochi Tuskers Kerala vs Rajasthan Royals, Indore
Week 6
62. Mon 16/05/2011 8pm, Pune Warriors vs Deccan Chargers, Navi Mumbai
63. Tue 17/05/2011 8pm, Kings XI Punjab vs Royal Challengers Bangalore, Dharamsala
64. Wed 18/05/2011 8pm, Chennai Super Kings vs Kochi Tuskers Kerala, Chennai
65. Thu 19/05/2011 8pm, Pune Warriors vs Kolkata Knight Riders, Navi Mumbai
Weekend 7
66. Fri 20/05/2011 8pm, Mumbai Indians vs Rajasthan Royals, Mumbai
67. Sat 21/05/2011 4pm, Kings XI Punjab vs Deccan Chargers, Dharamsala
68. Sat 21/05/2011 8pm, Delhi Daredevils vs Pune Warriors, Delhi
69. Sun 22/05/2011 4pm, Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Chennai Super Kings, Bangalore
Play-offs:
70. Tue 24/05/2011 8pm, Qualifier 1: First Placed Team vs Second Placed Team, Mumbai
71. Wed 25/05/2011 8pm, Eliminator: Third Placed Team vs Fourth Placed Team, Mumbai
72. Fri 27/05/2011 8pm, Qualifier 2: Winner of Eliminator vs Loser of Qualifier 1, Chennai
73. Sat 28/05/2011 8pm, Winner of Qualifier 1 vs Winner of Qualifier 2, Chennai
