Picture Credit: IPL
The 2022 edition of Indian Premier League will be played between March 26 to May 29, in what is going to be another thrilling season of T20 cricket. With the introduction of two new teams, it has become a 10-team tournament and there were lot of questions regarding the format of the league. The normal format of each team playing 2 games each against all the other franchises would have made it a very long season, which was possibly not feasible considering the busy international calendar.
Hence, BCCI have decided to adopt a similar plan of action which they used way back in 2011 when there were 10 teams. Notably, the board has decided to divide all the teams into 2 groups (of 5 each) on the basis of their performances in IPL over the years.
Mumbai Indians, with 5 trophies, got top seed followed by Chennai Super Kings, with 4 trophies. This is how all the franchises were ranked and alternate teams were put together in same group.
Groups of IPL 2022
Group A: Mumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight Riders, Rajasthan Royals, Delhi Capitals, Lucknow Super Giants
Group B: Chennai Super Kings, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Punjab Kings, Gujarat Titans
What is the new format?
As per the new format, each franchise will plays 14 games in the league stages. They will play 2 games each against the other four teams of their own group; 1 game each against four teams of the other group and 2 games against one remaining team of the other group (which has also been decided).
To make it simple and easy to understand, check out 'who will face who' and 'how many times' in the league stages of IPL 2022. The list is mentioned below:
Mumbai Indians
2 games vs KKR, RR, DC, LSG (same group)
2 games vs CSK (other group)
1 game vs SRH, RCB, PBKS, GT (other group)
Kolkata Knight Riders
2 games vs MI, RR, DC, LSG (same group)
2 games vs SRH (other group)
1 game vs CSK, RCB, PBKS, GT (other group)
Rajasthan Royals
2 games vs MI, KKR, DC, LSG (same group)
2 games vs RCB (other group)
1 game vs CSK, SRH, PBKS, GT (other group)
Delhi Capitals
2 games vs MI, RR, KKR, LSG (same group)
2 games vs PBKS (other group)
1 game vs CSK, RCB, SRH, GT (other group)
Lucknow Super Giants
2 games vs MI, RR, DC, KKR (same group)
2 games vs GT (other group)
1 game vs CSK, RCB, PBKS, SRH (other group)
Chennai Super Kings
2 games vs SRH, RCB, PBKS, GT (same group)
2 games vs MI (other group)
1 game vs KKR, RR, DC, LSG (other group)
Sunrisers Hyderabad
2 games vs CSK, RCB, PBKS, GT (same group)
2 games vs KKR (other group)
1 game vs MI, RR, DC, LSG (other group)
Royal Challengers Bangalore
2 games vs SRH, CSK, PBKS, GT (same group)
2 games vs RR (other group)
1 game vs KKR, MI, DC, LSG (other group)
Punjab Kings
2 games vs SRH, RCB, CSK, GT (same group)
2 games vs DC (other group)
1 game vs KKR, RR, MI, LSG (other group)
Gujarat Titans
2 games vs SRH, RCB, PBKS, CSK (same group)
2 games vs LSG (other group)
1 game vs KR, RR, DC, MI (other group)
Points System
Although there will be two groups, the teams will be ranked under one bracket i.e. there will be cumulative standings. The points will be awarded as: 2 points for win, 1 point for no result, o point for loss. After all the teams have played 14 matches each, the top 4 teams (no matter which group they belong to) on the table will progress to play-offs.
Although the play-offs format has not yet been revealed, it is expected to be same which has been followed in recent seasons which is as follows:
Qualifier 1 (between 1st and 2nd ranked team), Eliminator (between 3rd and 4th ranked team), Qualifier 2 (between loser of Qualifier 1 and winner of Eliminator) followed by the grand finale.
Where will teams play their matches?
BCCI have also revealed that all teams will play same number of matches at the same venue, in order to maintain uniformity for everyone.
Among 14 matches for each franchise, the venues for them will be as follows:
4 matches at Wankhede Stadium
4 matches at DY Patil Stadium
3 matches at Brabourne Stadium (CCI)
3 matches at MCA International Stadium, Pune