IPL 2023: The Biggest Franchise Tournament Returns

This Friday sees the return of the Indian Premier League, the biggest franchise tournament in world cricket. 

The biggest and best stars will be involved which will include the likes Ben Stokes, Virat Kohli and Jos Butler. 

Some new rules will be coming in from this year including the option to make a substitution and reviewing wides. 

When does the tournament start? 

The 2022 winners, Gujarat Titans will play the Chennai Super Kings in the opening game on Friday, 31 March at 15:00 BST. 

There are a total of 10 teams after Gujarat Titans and Lucknow Super Giants were added last year. Before the knockout stages we will see a total of 70 games with the final scheduled for the 28 May. 

England players in action

Butler is returning to Rajasthan Royals after finishing the leading run scorer in the 2022 IPL with 863 including 4 centuries. Butler will be joined by Joe Root, who will play in the IPL for the first time. 

Chennai Super Kings have secured the services of Ben Stokes were it is expected he will play the vast majority of the tournament as a specialist batter. Stokes is joining Moeen Ali at the Chennai Super Kings but Stokes will leave the IPL early due to England duties, which is also likely to impact Joe Root, Harry Brook and Jofra Archer. 

History making Sam Curran will be playing for the Punjab Kings after Sam became the most expensive signing ever for a whopping £1.85m. Sam will be hoping to carry on his great form after being named player of the tournament at the last T20 World Cup. Joining same at the Punjab Kings is big hitting Liam Livingston, expect fireworks when he plays. 

Sunrisers Hyderabad have secured the service of Harry Brook for £1.35m. Brook has made an impressive start at International level and I suspect Brook will be the one to watch in this years IPL. Brook will also be joined by England team mate Adil Ashid. 

Jofra Archer will be playing for the Mumbai Indians and hopefully Archer has a good tournament with the Ashes not to far away. 

Other England players in action will be Phil Salt for the Delhi Capitals and Reece Topley and David Willey for the Royal Challengers Bangalore. 

IPL 2023 Format and Schedule

Two groups of five with each team playing 14 group games. They play the teams in their group once and play the other group teams twice. From this, the results form one table and the group stage finishes on the 21 May. 

First and second place in the group stage will play each other, with the winner going straight to the final and the loser will go through to play the winner of the third and fourth game for a place in the final. 

New Rules

The tradition of having to hand your team in before the toss is now not required and captains will have the option to hand in their team after the toss. 

Teams can now name up to 5 substitution's and one can be used during the game. This rule will be known as the 'Impact Player' and will be in play at the end of every over for a bowler, any time for a batter and at the start of the innings. The player that is subbed out can play no further part in the game and the replacement must be Indian unless the team has not used their full overseas complement of four. 

Reviews will not be limited to dismissals, reviews will now be used for wides and no-balls. 

If the bowling innings overruns then only 4 permitted fielders outside the 30 yard circle will be allowed. 

How can I follow the IPL?  

Radio commentary: more than 40 games on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Sounds and the BBC Sport App and website (UK Only). TalkSport will also have radio commentary. 

TV Channel / Live Stream: The rights are being shared by Sky Sports and DAZN. Sky will broadcast on either Sky Sports Main Event or Sky Sports Cricket 

Afternoon matches will being at 3.30 PM.

Night matches will being at 7.30 PM.