For the first time since 2017, Willow TV on Sling TV will carry the VIVO IPL when play kicks off on September 19th. This marks the commencement of the second phase of the 14th VIVO IPL, which was postponed from May due to the rising number of COVID cases in India. Games will be held in the UAE through October 15th, and the series promises to be filled with excitement.
Out of the 31 games to be played, five will be doubleheaders (two matches in a day). Three locations across the UAE will host play: the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi, and the iconic Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Read on more for some key highlights of the upcoming series, and tune in to Willow TV on Sling for your VIVO IPL fix!
VIVO IPL Table
| Team | Matches Played | NRR | Points |
| Delhi Captials | 8 | +0.547 | 12 |
| CSK | 7 | +1.263 | 10 |
| RCB | 7 | -0.171 | 10 |
| Mumbai Indians | 7 | +0.062 | 8 |
| RR | 7 | -0.190 | 6 |
| Punjab Kings | 8 | -0.368 | 6 |
| KKR | 7 | -0.494 | 4 |
| SRH | 7 | -0.623 | 2 |
Read on for more key highlights of the upcoming series
The first game features MS Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings taking on Rohit Sharma’s Mumbai Indians. Both teams began in contrasting fashion, with the Mumbai Indians having won only one of their first four games. CSK, on the other hand, won five matches in a row before losing to Mumbai in a thriller in Chennai.
Team Form
The Delhi Capitals, led by Rishabh Pant, have their captain Shreyas Iyer back for the second phase. Iyer, who had a shoulder injury, is now training in the UAE and will look to lead his young team to a maiden VIVO IPL trophy.
Dhoni’s CSK have had a rejuvenation after a poor 2020 season and are now second in the table. Expect Faf Du Plessis and Ravindra Jadeja to lead from the front after hitting form in the first half of the VIVO IPL. The third and fourth spots are taken by RCB and Mumbai Indians, who have had contrasting form. RCB began strongly by defeating MI and have top-wicket taker Harshal Patel in their ranks, while MI have hit form at just the right moment by winning their last two games.
Players to Watch Out For
Shikhar Dhawan, who led India in the recently concluded Sri Lanka series, will look to continue his good run. The southpaw has already scored 380 runs in eight matches, with an average of 54. His experience will come in handy for the Delhi Capitals, who are looking to go a step further this season.
Harshal Patel has picked up 17 wickets in seven games and been a revelation for RCB this season. He will look to regain his form and after being smacked for 37 runs off Ravindra Jadeja.
VIVO IPL 2021 promises to be exciting with a few upsets on the cards. Can SRH bounce back from their lowly eighth position, or will the Delhi Capitals win their first title? Tell us in the comments below!
Sling: THE HOME OF CRICKET
Sling is America’s leading provider of international and multicultural programming, with content from 27 countries in 22 languages. With a focus on connecting South Asian audiences to the content they love from home, Sling has earned its spot as the home of cricket in the US. Following the VIVO IPL, play starts on the ICC T20 Men’s World Cup on October 17th, and the crucial India tour of South Africa, from December 17th, all on Willow TV on Sling.
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