Erratic Sunrisers Hyderabad look to bounce back against inconsistent Mumbai Indians.
Rajasthan Royals would aim to build on their promising start to the season when they take on Royal Challengers Bangalore, a side that is yet to unlock its potential.
Aruneel Sadadekar/Rediff.com takes a look at some players Indian fans will miss following their exploits in the Indian Premier League.
The tournament, which has been shifted to the UAE due to five million plus COVID cases in India, is a 'TV-only event', expected to be lapped up by all and sundry who crave for cricket and Bollywood in equal measure during prime time.
West Indies skipper Darren Sammy made it clear that they "can't take England for granted" in the opening group league fixture of the ICC World T20 on Wednesday in Mumbai.
Sri Lanka beat West Indies by 30 runs in the first Twenty20 International on Monday to go 1-0 up in the two-match series and extend the visitors' losing streak.
Captain Steven Smith's love affair with Pune continued as he led Rising Pune Supergiant to a seven-wicket victory over Mumbai Indians in a thrilling Indian Premier League match, in Pune, on Thursday.
'If you want to win the tournament everyone needs to do well.'
West Indies fast bowler Obed McCoy took four wickets after Andre Russell's maiden half-century as the Twenty20 world champions produced a superb comeback to outclass Australia by 18 runs in the first game of their five-match series.
The Indian think-tank has devised a plan whereby they will pepper Gayle with short-pitched deliveries and force him to go for the attack early on.
Rohit Sharma and Lendl Simmons hit half-centuries as Mumbai Indians demolished Chennai Super Kings by 41 runs to win their second Indian Premier League title, in Kolkata, on Sunday.
Virat Kohli anchored a tricky chase before Ravindra Jadeja and Shardul Thakur played useful cameos with the bat to power India to a series-winning four-wicket victory over the West Indies in the third ODI, in Cuttack, on Sunday. IMAGES from the third and final ODI in Cuttack on Sunday.
Royal Challengers Bangalore's West Indies leg-spinner Samuel Badree claimed his first Indian Premier League hat-trick on his debut against the Mumbai Indians, taking the wickets of Parthiv Patel, Mitch McClenaghan and Rohit Sharma on Friday.
Skipper Rohit Sharma says he wants Mumbai Indians to win most of its initial matches this IPL season, as some of his players will leave for World Cup preparations at the back-end of the tournament.
Following is the list of players who have been released by the different franchises ahead of the auction for the 2021 edition of the Indian Premier League.
Star all-rounder Andre Russell was forced to skip the West Indies team's practice session on the eve of their first T20I against India after missing a connecting flight from Dubai
Their campaign back on track after drubbing Bangladesh in their previous game, Australia cannot afford slip-up against an unpredictable West Indies in their final Super 12 match as they look to seal a semi-final spot in the T20 World Cup on Saturday.
Lewis had recently declined a central contract offered by the Cricket West Indies, potentially making him more available for leagues around the world, following in the footsteps of Chris Gayle and other stars from the region.
Images from Thursday's IPL match between Mumbai Indians and Sunrisers Hyderabad, in Mumbai.
Ahead of Saturday's event, here's a lowdown of ready references for the auction.
Scroll down to see who else made the guest list at the Mumbai Indians' party...
Mumbai Indians had rested key pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Boult in the game against SRH, which they lost by 10 wickets, but Bond defended the decision saying that was done with a long-term view.
Veteran opener David Warner produced a feisty unbeaten 89 as Australia registered an emphatic eight-wicket win against West Indies to boost their semi-final hopes, at the T20 World Cup, in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.
Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting began his new innings as the head coach of the Mumbai Indians who commenced their training at the Wankhede Stadium ahead of the Indian Premier League season 8, scheduled to start on April 8.
After launching their campaign on a winning note, IPL finalists Kings XI Punjab will look to dish out another dominating performance when they face the formidable Barbados Tridents in a Group B match of the Oppo Champions League twenty20 in Mohali on Saturday.
Rajasthan rode on a blistering 107 not out by Stokes and an equally aggressive 54 by Sanju Samson to overhaul a 196-run target set by defending champions Mumbai Indians, as they registered a comprehensive eight-wicket win with 10 balls to spare in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.
Mumbai Indians skipper Rohit Sharma praised his bowlers for their economy in the last few overs against Rajasthan Royals in the IPL match in Delhi on Thursday.
Delhi promoted all-rounder Lalit Yadav and Pant said the team management is trying to groom him.
Suresh Raina smashed an unbeaten half-century as Chennai Super Kings booked a berth in the second qualifier with a comfortable seven-wicket win over holders Mumbai Indians in the IPL eliminator in Mumbai on Wednesday.
Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper Virat Kohli praised Mumbai Indians's death bowling, saying they bowled in right channels in the last five overs.
Jacques Kallis hit a 46-ball 72 and Sunil Narine claimed four wickets as Kolkata Knight Riders scored a 41-run victory over Mumbai Indians in the opening match of the seventh season of the IPL, in Abu Dhabi, on Wednesday.
Images from Thursday's IPL match between Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals, in Dubai.
On a roll after a poor start, Delhi Daredevils will look to complete a hat-trick of victories on home turf when they take on defending champions Mumbai Indians in an Indian Premier League encounter, in New Delhi on Saturday.
A look at the various batting records in the IPL over the years.
Mumbai Indians opener Quinton de Kock rued the lack of support for Hardik Pandya, whose incredible power-hitting kept Kolkata Knight Riders on tenterhooks till the final ball of the 18th over.
Former Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene has joined the Adelaide Strikers for the fifth edition of Big Bash League on a one-year deal as the side's second international signing. Jayawardene replaces Kieron Pollard after the West Indies international was last month ruled out of the competition, when he suffered a knee injury in South Africa's Ram Slam T20 Challenge.
A slow-left arm spinner and a dasher down the order, West Indies all-rounder Akeal Hosein declared himself as a 'total all-rounder'.
Sunrisers Hyderabad held their nerves to edge past Mumbai Indians by one wicket off the last ball of the match in a thrilling Indian Premier League match, in Hyderabad, on Thursday.
MI's middle-order hasn't fired yet and Boult said the batsmen wouldn't be too pleased about it.
Pant showed his heroics with the bat once again and played a match-winning unbeaten 78 off just 27 balls for Delhi Capitals
