Cricket in India is celebrated as a festival in India and there is no bigger and grander cricketing festival like IPL. As the biggest cricket festivity is around the corner let’s see how the teams are going about with their preparations for the upcoming Indian Premier League.
Chennai Super Kings
One of the most successful cricketing franchises in the world, it always goes around in the minds of fans that what is it that makes them so consistent and successful. The players who have been part of this franchise throughout the years have praised the team’s environment and the sense of togetherness amongst everyone in the camp.
The current holders of the trophy began their preparations in the first week of March, with players from the domestic circuit joining the pre-season camp in Chennai on March 1. Subsequently, all senior players joined the camp. Meanwhile, the much-anticipated arrival was of ‘Thala’ Dhoni who joined the camp on 10 March. The foreign recruits are yet to come, with Devon Conway set to miss this year’s IPL after undergoing thumb surgery.
CSK will begin their campaign on 22nd March against RCB.
Gujarat Titans
The previous year’s finalist will begin their campaign under their new captain, Subhman Gill, who is yet to join the camp. Vice captain Rashid Khan who was out after sustaining an injury in the 2023 World Cup is set to play in the IPL, according to reports. Players like Tewatia, Vijay Shankar, and Mohit Sharma have all begun their practice with the team at Narendra Modi Stadium. Excited new addition Robin Minz’s arrival to the team might be delayed because of the bike accident he suffered recently. Explosive batsman David Miller who tied-knot recently is also expected to join soon.
Mumbai Indians
The five-time champions have also started their pre-season camp with, newly appointed captain Hardik Pandya joining the camp a couple of days ago and expressed his happiness for rejoining the franchise again. Players like Ishan Kishan have joined the camp and have been seen practicing for the upcoming season. Meanwhile, former captain Rohit Sharma is yet to join the side after, who was leading the Indian side against England for the 5-match series.
Lucknow Super Giants
One of the two franchises who were added to the IPL in 2022. Lucknow qualified for the playoffs in both the years they’ve been in and would like to replicate it again this term. Led by the KL Rahul the team is yet to begin their preparations for the new season. Only Arshin Kulkarni has joined the camp, as per their social media handle.
Rajasthan Royals
2022 finalist but failed to qualify for the playoffs last year, Rajasthan would like to turn their fortunes again this time. With players starting to arrive at the camp in Jaipur. Captain Sanju Samson joined the camp yesterday, with players like Yuzi Chahal already there beforehand. In-form youngster Yashasvi Jaiswal along with Ravi Ashwin is also set to join the team in the coming days. The Royals launched their all-pink jersey yesterday, dedicated to the women of Rajasthan, they will wear it against RCB on 6th April.
Royal Challengers Bangalore
Royal Challengers Bangalore started their pre-season camp with Virat Kohli, who was also on leave for the India versus England test series. Captain Faf du Plessis, Maxwell, and Dinesh Kartik all joined the camp under new head coach Andy Flower. Virat is expected to join RCB before 19th March. They will face CSK in the opening match of the season on the 22nd.
Kolkata Knight Riders
Captain Shreyas Iyer is set to miss the first few games of the upcoming season after incurring another injury in the Ranji Trophy finals against Vidarbha. Nitish Rana is likely to lead till then, he also captained the side last year in Iyer’s absence. Fan favourite Andre Russel joined the camp yesterday with Rinku Singh also expected to join the camp soon.
Sunrisers Hyderabad
The Orange Army will be led by World Cup-winning captain Pat Cummins, who is yet to join the camp. Fielding coach Ryan Cook joined the team today. They will kick off their campaign against KKR at Eden Gardens on 23rd March. Tickets sale for their home game versus Mumbai will start tomorrow at 11 am on Paytm Insider.
Delhi Capitals
Coach Ricky Ponting, along with players like Ishant Sharma, Khaleel Ahmed and Yash Dhull joined the team today. The most anticipated arrival of captain Rishabh Pant after his injury in 2022, is imminent as the official handle of the Capitals shared a post to him with the caption “𝘋𝘪𝘭 𝘴𝘦 𝘢𝘶𝘳 𝘋𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘪 𝘴𝘦, 𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘩𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘙𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘣𝘩 🫶”.
Meanwhile, Harry Brooks withdrew from this season IPL because of a family tragedy.
Dehli will begin their campaign against Punjab on 23rd March.
Punjab Kings
Head coach Trevor Bayliss joined the team today. Former RCB batting coach Sanjay Bangar also joined the team yesterday. Punjab Kings will play their home matches in Mullanpur’s Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Cricket Stadium this year. With Shikhar Dhawan leading the team again this year.