look news india
The very first match of IPL 2024 is a blockbuster clash, the excitement and curiosity among the fans was at its peak since the announcement of the schedule, but after Dhoni's decision to step down from the captaincy a day before the match, another dimension was added to it. And now it will be seen from a different perspective. When the Board of Control for Cricket in India announced the opening schedule of the new season of the Indian Premier League in February, everyone was excited. The reason was- the first match between Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore. After waiting for a year, the fans were ready to see Dhoni back on the field. Also, this match was for the return of Virat Kohli, who was not a part of the Test series against England. Today, when both the teams will face each other, the fans will get a chance to see these two greats, but the real match will be between two old friends, who will decide the fate of their respective teams.
change a day earlier
The first match of IPL 2024 will be played this evening at MA Chidambaram Stadium i.e. Chepauk Stadium in Chennai. Last year's champions Chennai Super Kings will start the tournament with the intention of defending their title, while Bengaluru wants to end its 16-year wait and the first challenge in its path is Chennai. Before this match, everyone's eyes were on Virat Kohli's batting and Dhoni's captaincy, but a day before this there was a change.
Rituraj Gaikwad has been entrusted with the responsibility
Veteran captain Dhoni, who made Chennai champion 5 times, suddenly handed over the captaincy to Ruturaj Gaikwad, who will now command the team for the entire season and the next few years. This decision has given rise to a conflict that few could have imagined. This is the fight between Rituraj Gaikwad vs Faf Duplessis. Yes, two such players who will lead their respective teams. The rivalry between the two will be one to watch as till recently both used to come together to open the innings for Chennai Super Kings.
opening partner
Du Plessis and Ruturaj became Chennai's opening partners in the 2021 season and both scored tremendous runs in that season. Together they destroyed the opposing teams and made Chennai champion for the fourth time. Du Plessis and Gaikwad were batting so well that season that both finished first and second with a difference of only 2 runs. Gaikwad scored 635 runs in 16 matches, while Du Plessis also scored 633 runs in the same number of matches.
Who will win
Then both of them had not even imagined that after 3 years they would be facing each other, that too as captains of their respective teams. Du Plessis will take charge of Bengaluru in 2022 and Gaikwad will now take charge of Chennai. Du Plessis has long experience of captaincy in international and franchise cricket, while Gaikwad has captained a lot in domestic cricket as well. In such a situation, it remains to be seen who among the two old friends wins this time.