The Royal Challengers Banglore ( RCB) are expected to play the season opener against Mumbai Indians (MI) in the first match of the 13th edition of Indian Premier League (IPL), after Board for Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) decided to alter the schedule due to COVID-19 scare in Chennai Super Kings (CSK) camps.
As reported by The Times of India, the BCCI may mull over pitting Royal Challengers Banglore (RCB) against Mumbai Indians (MI) in the curtain raiser of the 13th Indian Premier League (IPL) edition, and they will hope to grab eyeballs by facing of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli against each other.
“It could possibly be Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) because in the first match, you’ll need star players on the field. If MS Dhoni is missing, then it has to be Virat Kohli,” those tracking developments told TOI.
Earlier, BCCI had confirmed that thirteen members from Chennai Super Kings (CSK) squad have tested positive for the coronavirus, which includes two players and 11 staff members. In which, one of those players confirmed to be is an Indian speedster Deepak Chahar, while the other is rumoured to be domestic player Ruturaj Gaikwad.
IPL schedule to be released soon
With the IPL dates coming closer, the BCCI is reviewing the IPL schedule to accommodate unforeseen problems, and will announce a final revised match track, which was initially due last week.
There are rumours of the IPL being divided into three phases to minimise the travelling involved. The 56 league stage matches are expected to be divided as follows.
1st Leg: Abu Dhabi – 21 matches
2nd Leg: Dubai – 21 matches
3rd Leg: Sharjah – 14 matches
The teams may return to Dubai for the play-offs of the IPL. However so far,t has been no clarity regarding the same.