No CSK vs RCB in the group stage of the IPL 2024! After the Chennai Super Kings beat the Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the season opener, we might not get another Virat Kohli vs MS Dhoni encounter in the 17th edition of the IPL. The two powerhouses have been slotted together in the IPL 2024 Group B and can only face each other in the playoffs in the ongoing season.
IPL 2024 Groups: Format Explainer
The ten franchises have been slotted into two different groups. Group A features the Mumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight Riders, Rajasthan Royals, Delhi Capitals, and Lucknow Super Giants. Meanwhile, Group B has the Chennai Super Kings, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Punjab Kings, and Gujarat Titans.
According to the IPL 2024 format, each team will play the other four teams in their group once and the other five teams in the other group twice. So, while the format may seem to have change, each team will play 14 matches.
No Kohli vs Dhoni, but popcorn GT vs MI clash twice
While fans will miss out on watching two of the biggest cricket icons, MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli, they’ll be treated to a fun encounter between the Gujarat Titans and Mumbai Indians. For the unaware, MI’s current skipper, Hardik Pandya, has returned to the franchise after three years.
Having left the franchise in 2021, he joined GT as their captain and led them to two consecutive finals in 2022 and 2023, winning the title in 2022. Now, he’s facing his ‘new’ franchise while leading his ‘old’ team. One thing is for sure: the intensity of these two matches will be high.
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