IPL 2021 schedule is out for the second leg happening in Dubai. CSK to face MI in opener.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the schedule for the remainder of IPL 2021 on Sunday. BCCI members including President Sourav Ganguly set base in UAE last week to finalise all the preparations regarding the tournament. After waiting for long, the schedule has now been released with 5-time champions Mumbai Indians (MI) taking on 3-time winners Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in a game which will resume this year’s IPL after a COVID-19 induced hiatus.
As many as 31 games will be staged across 27 days in three stadiums in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. CSK and MI will start the proceedings on September 19, 2021 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
As far as double-headers are concerned, there will be seven double-headers in all in the second phase of IPL 2021. The timings however remain the same, i.e., 3:30 PM IST for afternoon matches and 7:30 PM for evening games.
Dubai International Cricket Stadium will host 13 games. The final and the qualifier 1 of IPL 2021 are also scheduled in Dubai only. Sharjah will host a total of 10 games, including Qualifier 2 and the Eliminator. The Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi is scheduled to host 8 games for the second leg.
Royal Challengers Bangalore will square up against Kolkata Knight Riders in the second game in Abu Dhabi, while Punjab Kings will go face-to-face with Rajasthan Royals in the third match.
The final of the IPL 2021 will be played on October 15, 2021 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
Where are the teams standing at the moment?
Delhi Capitals are currently at the top of the points table, having secured 6 wins in 8 games. On a second successive occasion, DC have dominated the points table. Chennai Super Kings have made a stellar comeback this year after enduring a horrendous outing last year. They sit at second on the table.
However, ahead of the start of the second leg, MS Dhoni and Co once again find themselves at the shores of UAE. Also, the unavailability of English players might affect their campaign. Royal Challengers Bangalore and Mumbai Indians take the third and fourth spot with 10 and 8 points respectively.
All four teams have a decent chance of qualifying in the top four. Among the bottom four sides, both Rajasthan Royals and Punjab Kings have three wins each to their name and are in contention to reach the playoffs. Rajasthan Royals, though, might struggle in the second phase due to the absence of English players.
Sunrisers Hyderabad are currently placed at the bottom of the table, having won only 1 game in seven. Kolkata Knight Riders find themselves at seventh position with 2 wins in 7 games.
Top run scorers in IPL 2021
Shikhar Dhawan of Delhi Capitals is the leading run-scorer until now in this year’s IPL with 380 runs in 8 matches at an average of 54.28 and a strike rate of 134.27. Punjab Kings’ KL Rahul is the second highest run scorer with 331 runs in 7 games at an average of 66.20 and a strike rate of 136.21. Chennai Super Kings’ Faf Du Plessis comes next in the list with 320 runs in 7 games at an average of 64 and a strike rate of 145.45.
Top wicket takers in IPL 2021
Royal Challengers Bangalore’s Harshal Patel has been the most prolific performer with the ball in hand as he has scalped an incredible haul of 17 wickets in 7 matches at an average of 14.70 and a strike rate of 9.76. Delhi Capitals’ Avesh Khan and Rajasthan Royals’ Chris Morris occupy the joint second spot with 14 wickets from 8 and 7 matches respectively. While Khan averages 16.50 and records a strike rate of 12.85, Morris averages 16 and clocks a strike rate of 11.14.
The fans of the shortest version of the game would be eager to watch the players back in action for the second leg of Indian Premier league 2021.
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