IPL 2022

IPL 2022: The more, the merrier! This will be the theme of the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League as 10 teams get set to take part in T20 cricket's biggest extravaganza starting March 26. The two new franchises -- Lucknow Super Giants and Gujarat Titans -- join the existing 8 teams with four venues in Maharashtra hosting at least 70 league games of the 74 total matches. Wankhede Stadium and Cricket Club of India (CCI) in Mumbai, DY Patil stadium in Navi Mumbai and Maharashtra Cricket Association stadium in Pune will be hosting the league stage contests with defending champions Chennai Super Kings facing Kolkata Knight Riders in the lung-opener at the iconic Wankhede stadium. With the competition now expanded to 10 teams, this year's IPL format has also been tweaked a bit. Teams have been divided into 2 groups of 5 each but the number of matches per side remains the same at 14. Group A has Mumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight Riders, Rajasthan Royals, Delhi Capitals and Lucknow SuperGiants, while Group B comprises Chennai Super Kings, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Punjab Kings and Gujarat Titans. Each team plays the other team in its group twice, which makes it a total of eight matches. For the remaining six games, a team plays against the five teams of the other group, playing two games against its equivalent team. The IPL has however stuck to the same format when it comes to the playoffs. With 40 percent crowds allowed this time, the fans will be eagerly waiting to welcome back the biggest cricketing superstars from around the world.