RCB vs DC will now be played simulatenously with MI vs SRH © BCCI
In a first, the final two matches in the league phase of the IPL will start simultaneously. As per the original schedule, the league phase was scheduled to end with a double header on October 8. In the morning match, starting at 11 am UAE time, Sunrisers Hyderabad were scheduled to face defending champions Mumbai Indians in Abu Dhabi while the evening match, starting at 6 pm UAE time, would see Royal Challengers Bangalore play Delhi Capitals. Now both matches will begin at the same time on October 8, at 6 pm local time.
While the BCCI announced the decision via a media release on Tuesday, saying both matches will be played “concurrently” it did not explain the exact reasoning behind the move. However, ESPNcricnfo understands that suggestion to have both matches run in parallel was given by Star, the IPL broadcaster. It is learned that STAR wanted to do a trial run in preparation for the 2022 season when the IPL will be an event with several double headers.
The last time IPL was a 10-team event was in 2011, when there were 70 league matches and four playoff games. The last time more than eight teams played in the IPL was in 2013, when nine teams took part and played a total of 76 matches.
More to follow…
Nagraj Gollapudi is news editor at ESPNcricinfo
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Source: ESPN Crickinfo