IPL 2024 kickoff: MS Dhoni versus Virat Kohli in season opener.

Photo: AFP

New Delhi: The Indian Premier League's (IPL) latest season commences in Chennai on Friday with a thrilling clash between defending champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and fan favorites Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). The highly anticipated opening match will witness MS Dhoni leading CSK against Virat Kohli and RCB.

Kohli, making a return after a two-month hiatus from international cricket due to the birth of his second child, adds to the excitement of the season's kick-off.

All eyes are on Dhoni, marking his comeback to action after 10 months following Chennai's fifth IPL title win last year. Dhoni had earlier announced his plan to retire at the conclusion of the upcoming season.

Faf du Plessis, the skipper of Bengaluru, lauded Dhoni's leadership, hailing him as the greatest-ever captain and emphasizing the profound impact of his tenure at Chennai on his own leadership journey.

Despite being three-time runners-up, Bengaluru is yet to secure an IPL title, a surprising fact given the presence of the record-breaking star batter Kohli. The franchise's women's team recently ended their trophy drought by clinching the 2024 Women's IPL trophy.

In a significant development, Mumbai Indians have appointed all-rounder Hardik Pandya as their new captain after a high-profile player trade with Gujarat Titans in 2023. Pandya, who previously played for Mumbai from 2015 to 2021 before leading Gujarat to their maiden title, succeeds Rohit Sharma as the skipper. Sharma's departure has stirred controversy among Mumbai's fan base, marking the end of an era. However, Pandya expressed confidence in carrying forward Sharma's legacy with the former captain's support.

Shubman Gill will lead Gujarat Titans in his first major leadership role, while star wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, cleared for high-level cricket after recovering from knee and back injuries, resumes his captaincy for Delhi Capitals. Pant, sidelined since December 2022 due to a car accident, led Delhi Capitals to the IPL 2020 final.

Yashasvi Jaiswal, buoyed by an impressive performance against England, will partner with Jos Buttler at the top for Rajasthan Royals.

In the IPL auctions, Australian pace duo Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins emerged as the top two expensive players. Starc returns to the league after six years to join Kolkata Knight Riders for a record fee, while Cummins was acquired by Sunrisers Hyderabad and will lead the franchise this season.

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