Advertisement
India
SportCricket

Kohli versus Dhoni as Indian Premier League begins 2024 season with a clash of two of India’s legendary cricketers

  • Dhoni will lead the defending champions, Chennai Super Kings, against Kohli’s Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Friday
  • Also intriguing is a clash between the two most expensive players, Aussies Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins, with a Hongkonger also in the mix

Reading Time:3 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
Two of the biggest names in Indian cricket, MS Dhoni (right) and Virat Kolhi, will face each other in the opening match of the Indian Premier League season. Photo: AFP
Associated Press

Virat Kohli against MS Dhoni. For the lucrative Indian Premier League and its billion-plus audience, the head-to-head encounter is a perfect prime-time opener for the eight-week season.

Advertisement

The 2024 season begins with the star-studded encounter in Chennai on Friday when the defending champions, Super Kings, host Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

And it will see Dhoni leading Chennai against Kohli’s Bengaluru.

Kohli returns to action after missing international cricket for almost two months – including India’s test series win over England – owing to the birth of his second child.

Attention will also be heavy on Dhoni, who led Chennai to their record-equalling fifth IPL title last year and returns after being out for 10 months with a knee injury that required surgery.

Chennai Super Kings’ captain MS Dhoni returns after 10 months out with a knee injury. Photo: AP
Chennai Super Kings’ captain MS Dhoni returns after 10 months out with a knee injury. Photo: AP

Dhoni announced his intention to retire at the end of this upcoming season, and Bengaluru skipper Faf du Plessis told host broadcaster Star Sports: “He (Dhoni) is the greatest-ever captain, and I am very lucky that I have spent some time with him over the years.

Advertisement