IPL 2023: Mumbai and Chennai to lock horns in historic 1000th match of tournament
The BCCI on February 17 unveiled the dates and schedule for the sixteenth edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) as it is to commence on Friday, March 31. The forthcoming edition will witness a historic milestone as two of the most successful teams – Mumbai Indians (MI) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will lock horns in the 1000th match of the top-tier league.
The two arch-rivals are set to play the historic fixture on Saturday, May 6 at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Since the inception of the league in 2008, numerous jaw-dropping matches have been witnessed, many of which have gone down as some of the best games in the history of world cricket. Furthermore, Mumbai and Chennai, who have won five and four titles respectively, will only increase the excitement ten folds for the 1000th fixture of the tournament.
Meanwhile, after staging the league across Mumbai, Pune, and Ahmedabad last edition, the 16th season will see as many as 12 venues which include few matches being played in Guwahati and Dharamsala.
Defending champions to kickstart proceedings on March 31
MS Dhoni-led Chennai play defending champions Gujarat Titans in the blockbuster opener on March 31 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Furthermore, it is after three years that the traditional ‘home and away’ format returns to action as all the teams will play seven home games and as many away games respectively in the league phase prior to the play-offs.
The league also sees 18 double headers being played with afternoon matches starting at 3:30 PM IST and the evening games starting at 7:30 PM IST. The summit clash of the lucrative T20 league will be contested on May 28.
The BCCI is yet to confirm the official dates and venues for the play-offs of the extravagant event. Reigning champions Gujarat Titans, who made their debut last season, will be gunning to add yet another title to their cabinet. Meanwhile, Mumbai and Chennai, who endured a poor run in the previous edition, will aim to turn the tables and get back the glory days.
