More IPL news
Top 5 Overrated Players of IPL 2018
Mulling over this year Indian Premier League (IPL) Auction, we all might have sensed that it has been an epic one considering its major expensive bids. But will the expensive players actually prove to b a superior investment in IPL 2018?
IPL: 5 of the Longest Sixes in IPL History
IPL has seen umpteen number of sixes so far but the longest six was smashed in the inaugural season and is yet to be challenged. Here are the other contenders of the longest sixes
The Evolution of IPL Over the Years
The IPL will be starting its 10th season and we look back to how it all started. We include the history and the highs and lows of the game
Top 10 All-Round Performances in IPL
Sometimes, a cricketer performs with a bat or with a ball. But what happens when a player is handy with both? Let's take a look at the top 10 all round performances in IPL of all the time
IPL: After All, It’s A Batsman’s Game!
The fast bowlers have had a difficult time in IPL so far. In fact, right from the start of the World Cup, bowlers in general have found it very difficult. Which is why, the IPL is generally considered a batsman oriented game
Mumbai Indians- Five Most Memorable Victories
As a tribute to this rare feat by the Mumbai Indians, we at Essentially Sports have compiled five of their most memorable victories.
Top 10 Spectacular Catches in IPL History
The Indian Premier League is full of thrills and spills, some players go to great lengths to prevent runs, often doing gravity defying stunts. We document some of the most spectacular catches in IPL history
NZ Cricket Dub IPL Auction ‘Humiliating’
The NZ cricket board were highly disappointed with the way the IPL auction has been conducted. particularly when a number of fairly talented players went unsold in this season's auction
IPL Auction 2018: Value For Money Deals
who got the best buys this time? which team managed to steal impact players at an economic price? Let's find out.Here is our list of value for money players bought during the IPL auction 2018
The Biggest Surprises Of IPL 2018
With loads of twist and turns, this year's Indian Premier League (IPL) Auction found the top position in the ongoing trending list.
Gautam Gambhir: The Best Captain India may never have
Gautam Gambhir has been ticking all the boxes when it comes to his performance in the IPL. Is he the best captain of IPL?
2018 IPL Auction Day 2: Twitter Reactions
In IPL Auction Day 2, every Indian Premier League franchise's squad became a whole lot clearer. There were some surprise picks and some players were sold for a hefty price tag
IPL History
IPL 2019 is almost upon us and the fans are gearing up for season 12 of the cash-rich tournament. This year, 8 teams will be contesting the league and vying for the title.
The series kicks off on the 23rd of March, through April and ends on May 19th. The opening match will be defending champions, Chennai Super Kings against the Royal Challengers Bangalore at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium.
The Super Kings are currently the most successful IPL team along with the Mumbai Indians, with three wins each. Kolkata are next with 2 wins. The inaugural winners were the Rajasthan Royals back in 2008.
Tournament Format?
The IPL schedule 2019 is planned in such a way that only the dates for the first two weeks has been released. However, owing to the 2019 general elections, there may be further changes.
Just like in the English Premier League and every other football league, each team plays their opponent twice. Once in their own home ground and once in their opponent's home ground. In simpler terms, CSK are facing RCB in Chennai on Saturday. The next time the two meet, it will be in Bangalore.
However, with the general elections looming, it is more than likely that this format will be thrown for a loop.?Instead, some matches will be held at neutral venues for security reasons.
Teams
There are 8 teams contesting the 2019 IPL season. They are, the Chennai Super Kings, Kolkata Knight Riders, Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Kings XI Punjab, Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Capitals. Delhi were formerly known as the Daredevils, but ahead of the coming season, they felt a need for a change.
There were also a fair number of former teams as well, who have now become defunct. They are, the Deccan Chargers, who were succeeded by the Sunrisers Hyderabad. They were part of the original teams, but dissolved after 4 years.
Next came the Kochi Tuskers Kerala, who joined in 2010 lasted only till 2011. The Pune Warrior India debuted around the same time as Kochi but managed to hold out until 2014 before dissolving. Then in 2016, after Chennai and Rajasthan were banned for 2 years, the Gujarat Lions and the Rising Pune Supergiant arose from their ashes. Sadly, they too were dissolved when CSK and RR returned to the fray in 2018.
Locations
There was a lot of speculation surrounding hosting the IPL amid the Indian general elections. Rumours were abuzz that IPL 2019 could be held abroad just like in 2009 and 2014 respectively.
However, the BCCI later confirmed that the tournament will remain in India alongside the elections. Their plan is to schedule a few matches on neutral venues on certain days to avoid conflict.
One thing is for sure, the crescendo surrounding the league will soon reach a fever pitch and the fans are eager to get things started.
How will things pan out this season? Will CSK or MI break the deadlock? Will KKR make it a three-way tie? Will it be some team else? Will RCB finally lift the trophy? Will the name change really mean a change of fortune for Delhi Capitals?
