Mumbai Indians to begin IPL title defence against Chennai Super Kings

The first match of the 2020 IPL will be a repeat of last year's final between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings.

 
 

Defending champions Mumbai Indians will face Chennai Super Kings in the first match of the 2020 Indian Premier League, it has been announced.

This year's edition of the IPL had been due to begin in India in late March but was postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic, and it will now take place between September and November in the United Arab Emirates.

The first fixture, which takes place in Abu Dhabi on September 19, will see Rohit Sharma's Mumbai face MS Dhoni's Chennai, the team they defeated by one run in the 2019 final.

There will be 10 days of double-headers, with matches split across Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah.

Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders will be the last two teams to play their first fixtures, which is thought to be because of the England and Australia players in their squads.

Those two countries are currently playing white-ball cricket in England, with the final match on September 16.