IPL 2024: 5 players to watch out for in tournament's opener

The Board of Control for Cricket in India announced the schedule for the first two weeks of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, commencing from March 22, 2024, to April 7, 2024. The IPL has become more than just a sporting event; it’s a festival of cricket that transcends boundaries, bringing together talent from various nations and captivating audiences with its matches. During the two-week period, 21 matches will be played across 10 cities, with each team playing a minimum of three matches and a maximum of five. The 17th season will kick off with defending champions and five-time winners Chennai Super Kings taking on Royal Challengers Bangalore at Chennai's MA Chidambaram Stadium on Friday, March 22. Both these teams comprise some of the most astonishing talents in the league and it would be a mouth-watering encounter between the two teams. Here is a list of players to watch out for in the tournament opener between Chennai and Bangalore: 5. Glenn Maxwell Glenn Maxwell 50 vs RR. (Photo Source: BCCI/IPL) Glenn Maxwell, often called as the 'Big Show' was scintillating in the last season for the Royal Challengers Bangalore. His presence in the middle order gives solidity and explosivity to their batting line-up. Maxwell’s scoring pattern in IPL 2023 was a blend of aggressive boundary-hitting and smart running between the wickets. He played all 14 matches the last season where he amassed 400 runs at a staggering strike rate of 183.49 which included five half-centuries. He could be a threat to the opposition bowlers and turn the game around for his team within no time. Since the match is in Chennai, he could be a threat with the ball as well, where the conditions have historically shown a great degree of assistance to spinners. 4. Daryl Mitchell Darly Mitchell. (Photo Source: X(Twitter) In just nine innings, the New Zealand batter displayed his talent at the World Cup, amassing 552 runs at an average of 69.00 and a potent strike rate of 111.07. Because of his ability to play in sub-continental circumstances and take on middle-order responsibilities, as he did during the World Cup while Kane Williamson was sidelined, he would be a useful addition to CSK. He is much more versatile because he can bat as a floater, middle-order hitter, or opener. Mitchell failed to live up to the expectations set for him after making his IPL debut in 2022 with the Rajasthan Royals. Despite not being selected in 2023, his excellent form could help him succeed this season. Additionally, he can also lend his hands with the ball, which might be the X-factor for the MS Dhoni-led franchise. 3. Ruturaj Gaikwad Ruturaj Gaikwad (Source: Twitter) The elegant opening batter Ruturaj Gaikwad, enthralled fans back home with a string of outstanding performances in the domestic circuit. Gaikwad's IPL career has been marked by his talents and abilities being on display season after season, which has helped him establish a reputation as a top batter. He has amassed 1797 runs at a remarkable average of 39.07 and a strike rate of 135.52 in 52 games. This incredible record of a century and 14 half-centuries, together with an impressive collection of one hundred and sixty-nine fours and seventy-three sixes, demonstrate his ability to both survive and perform well in the fast-paced, high-stakes T20 format. 2. Shivam Dube Shivam Dube (Source: Twitter) Shivam Dube is an all-rounder and is hugely popular for his left-handed power-packed batting and also for his medium-paced bowling. He had a fantastic showing in the most recent IPL season, helping CSK win the championship. Dube is excited to establish himself as a valuable all-round player for the Indian cricket squad as the upcoming IPL draws near. Dube's IPL statistics demonstrate his batting prowess in terms of consistency and noteworthy performances. He has scored 1099 runs with an incredible strike rate of 142.17 over several seasons. Because of his versatility and medium-paced bowling, CSK may rely heavily on his success to produce favourable results and fancy yet another title this year. 1. MS Dhoni MS Dhoni 2021. (Photo Source: Twitter) MS Dhoni would be coming back to his beloved Chennai crowd after a year-long break. For the fans, he is always someone whom they admire and want to see more of. Thala, as he is fondly called by the Chennai crowd, has had a phenomenal career, whether it's for Chennai or the national team. Dhoni shares the number for being the most successful captain in the IPL history alongside Mumbai Indians' ex-skipper Rohit Sharma. Whether it's to play just a couple of deliveries, the crowd is equally excited to see him bat. The man from Ranchi can be the biggest threat to any opposition with his ability to finish matches as well as due to his praiseworthy presence of mind and match awareness.

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IPL 2024: 5 players to watch out for in tournament's opener

The curtain raiser of the Indian Premier League 2024 will be played between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on March 22.

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