MS Dhoni's CSK To Face Former Champion In IPL 2024 Opening Fixture: Reports

The 17th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is all set to reportedly kick off from March 22, but the tournament schedule has not been finalized yet. However, some reports suggest that the tournament's opening date could indeed be March 22. Chairman Arun Dhumal had also indicated to the BCCI that they are planning to start the IPL from that date only and has also reportedly indicated that the first match could be between MS Dhoni's Chennai Super Kings and a former champion team.

Gujarat will be the likely opponents to face off against Chennai according to reports. It is often observed that the previous season's finalists face each other in the first match of the following season. Who can forget the IPL 2023 final, which was the most unique final in IPL history? This match was played on a reserve day and people sacrificed their sleep to watch the match late into the night. Once again, both teams could clash in the opening match of the next season. Indian Express has provided this information in its special report.

Tournament Hosts Also Decided?

Gujarat's team will take the field with a new captain Gujarat Titans, which played for the first time in IPL 2022, emerged as the champions. However, in that season, the team was captained by Hardik Pandya. However, in the upcoming IPL season, the team will be led by their new and young captain Shubman Gill. Hardik Pandya has returned to his old team, Mumbai Indians, and has also been appointed captain. This means that on March 22, experienced MS Dhoni could face young Shubman Gill. Further reports also suggested that the entire tournament will take place in India.

We are still waiting for the final seal of approval, and it remains to be seen whether the final decision will be taken by the IPL Governing Council. Chennai Super Kings won the title in the previous season, with Gujarat's team finishing as runners-up. While Gujarat Titans have been finalists in the last two seasons. In such a scenario, Gill will face the challenge of building on the team's splendid performance. Meanwhile, this could be Dhoni's final season, and in such a case, fans would want to bid him farewell with a victory.

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