Now staged out of the United Arab Emirates and likely acting as a dry run for the world’s greatest short-form cricketers as they prepare for the T20 World Cup, starting next month and also played out of the UAE, the 2021 IPL conclusion will be like no other.
How to watch the 2021 IPL season
The rest of the 2021 IPL season will be streamed on ESPN+.
Dates: Matches from Sept. 19 to Oct. 15, including the Final. Streaming: All matches in the U. S. will be streamed on ESPN+
Click here to learn more about how to stream on ESPN+.
2021 IPL schedule
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2021 IPL season: Where we left off
It was an electrifying start to the 2021 campaign for the Delhi Capitals, winning six from eight. Shikhar Dhawan certainly helped, pacing the entire tournament with 380 runs at a 66.20 clip and a 136.21 strike rate.
Where are the IPL stars?
It’s the IPL, so each team is stacked. However, with Test cricket during the IPL’s break, a T20 World Cup looming fast and inevitable injuries, not all of cricket’s brightest stars will return.
A short list of the biggest stars missing from the remainder of the tournament:
Pat Cummins (Kolkata/Australia) Jos Buttler (Rajasthan/England) Adam Zampa (RCB/Australia) Riley Meredith (Punjab/Australia) Daniel Sams (RCB/Australia) Jofra Archer (Rajasthan/England) Ben Stokes (Rajasthan/England) Jonny Bairstow (Sunrisers/England) Chris Woakes (Delhi/England) Dawid Molan (Rajasthan/England)
Will players have to quarantine?
All players had to complete six days of quarantine upon arriving in the UAE.
Will fans be allowed inside stadiums?
For the first time since 2019, fans will be allowed into IPL stadiums, with the defending champions Mumbai Indians taking on Chennai Super Kings at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium the first opportunity for fans.
“This match will be a momentous occasion as IPL will welcome the fans back to the stadiums after a brief hiatus owing to COVID-19 situation," an IPL statement said.
“Matches will be played at Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi with limited seating available keeping in mind the COVID protocols and UAE government regulations.”
2021 IPL table
Here is the 2021 IPL table as play resumes Sept. 19: