Credit: X/IPL
The league stage of the 17th edition of the Indian Premier League is done and dusted with the two-time champions, Kolkata Knight Riders, scheduled to face the high-flying SunRisers Hyderabad in Qualifier 1 on Tuesday at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The winning team will qualify for the final while the losing side will face the winners of Eliminator.
In this article, we will look at the big updates around the IPL 2024 that took place on Monday, May 20, but before that, let’s check the match scheduled for the day.
Today's match preview
Kolkata Knight Riders vs SunRisers Hyderabad
The Kolkata Knight Riders will lock horns against the SunRisers Hyderabad in Qualifier 1 on Tuesday at 07:30 p.m. IST at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. After finishing on top of the IPL 2024 points table, KKR are the in-form team in the IPL with their batting, bowling, and fielding departments delivering the goods more often than not. On the other hand, the SunRisers Hyderabad have been playing explosive cricket right throughout the IPL 2024, especially with the bat in hand, which will hold them in good stead for the remainder of the tournament.
Major events around IPL that happened on May 20
CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan gives update on MS Dhoni’s participation in IPL 2025: Reports
Amidst all the chaos surrounding the possible retirement of former Indian skipper MS Dhoni following their defeat to the Royal Challengers Bengaluru in a do-or-die encounter, CEO of CSK, Kasi Viswanathan has confirmed that the 42-year-old legendary keeper hasn’t conveyed any retirement decision to the management or franchise, as of now. According to Cricbuzz, the CSK CEO said, "He (Dhoni) has not told us anything. He does not tell us such things anyway. He just decides."
Hetmyer, Russell, and other Windies stars to miss SA T20I series; to feature in IPL 2024 playoffs
With the 17th edition of the IPL reaching its penultimate stage, the action will now shift to the playoffs. But ahead of the IPL 2024 playoffs, the teams have got a boost, especially the Kolkata Knight Riders and the Rajasthan Royals. The West Indies star players Rovman Powell, Shimron Hetmyer, Andre Russell, pacer Alzarri Joseph, and Sherfane Rutherford will continue to ply their trade for their respective franchises in IPL 2024 and will not travel back home to play the South Africa series. In the absence of Rovman Powell, Brandon King will lead the side for the three-match T20I series.
Rajasthan Royals to refund tickets after RR vs KKR match abandoned in Guwahati
The last league match of the IPL 2024 between the Rajasthan Royals and the Kolkata Knight Riders was abandoned due to constant downpours in Guwahati, Assam. Although, the toss took place in between two series of showers, not a single delivery was bowled in the game. On Monday, the home side announced on social media to refund the face value of the purchased tickets by the valid holders.
PBKS coach Sanjay Bangar talks about ECB's stance on players' availability during auction
Punjab Kings coach Sanjay Bangar opened up on the England and Wales Cricket Board’s decision to call back players. Bangar, who spoke after PBKS’ four-wicket defeat against SRH in IPL 2024, said that the ECB had communicated this at the time of the auction in December 2023. "When we went to the auction, the ECB had made it clear that all the players will be available. It is just that it so happens that the tournament got slightly extended, I would say, because of multiple reasons. Everybody was in a similar position, but we lost those English players," Sanjay Bangar said.
Abhishek Sharma reveals reason behind his special ‘L’ celebration in match against PBKS
The SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) defeated the Punjab Kings (PBKS) on Sunday, May 19 at the Uppal Stadium in Hyderabad to clinch the second spot in the IPL 2024 points table. After this victory, SRH’s star player Abhishek Sharma, who smashed 28-ball 66, opened up on the special ‘L’ celebration. In a video shared by the IPL, Abhishek said, “L - I started in the very first match, me and Travis Head did it. For me and for him, it's very personal, we told everyone that it's about love, so we are spreading love."
MS Dhoni likely to visit London for muscle tear treatment; to decide on IPL future after surgery
After the defending champions, the Chennai Super Kings failed to qualify for the IPL 2024 playoffs, speculations have been made over MS Dhoni's future in the IPL. But recent reports revealed that the wicketkeeper-batter will travel to London to treat his muscle tear and will then decide on his future in the cash-rich league. “Dhoni might head to London for his muscle tear surgery which saw him struggling during the IPL. He is not fully fit but wants to continue to play cricket and he will only decide about his future after treatment which will take him five to six months to recover,” sources told IANS.
