The IPL matches will be played across three venues in the UAE; namely, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah with the finals to be played on November 10.
All the 8 IPL franchises had reached the UAE over a fortnight back to kick start their preparations after serving the mandated 6-day quarantine period. With the Covid-19 pandemic looming large, the organisers have taken all requisite precautions by way of getting their squads regularly tested for Covid, placing them in quarantine, imposing travel restrictions outside an earmarked area and having them stay in a bio-secure bubble.
The IPL returns back to the UAE for the second time after a gap of six years in 2014. The 2014 edition of the IPL was played at the UAE on account of the Lok Sabha elections being held in India.
While defending champions Mumbai will look to add a record extending fifth title to their kitty, the likes of Chennai Super Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad will once again be formidable challengers. Meanwhile Delhi Capitals, Rajasthan Royals and Kings Eleven Punjab will look to revive their fortunes and expect to make it to the business end of the tournament.
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Here is a look at the top run getters, highest ton makers, most sixes hit in the history of the Indian Premier League:
IPL MAJOR BATTING RECORDS
MOST RUNS: Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper Virat Kohli is the highest run getter in the history of the Indian Premier League. The prolific run scorer has amazed a staggering 5412 runs in his IPL career so far. CSK's Suresh Raina is second on the run scoring list with 5368 runs.
MOST TONS: Windies hard hitting batsman Chris Gayle has scored the most tons in the Indian Premier League since the inception of the league. Gayle stands atop the charts with 6 tons. Meanwhile, RCB skipper Virat Kohli with 5 tons is second on the IPL ton making list. SRH hard hitting opener David Warner and his fellow Aussie countryman and CSK batsman Shane Watson have scored four tons each in the IPL
MOST 50s: Sunrisers Hyderabad opener David Warner has been very consistent at the top with his opening exploits with both Delhi Daredevils and Sunrisers Hyderabad, notching up 44 half tons.Suresh Raina is second on the list with 38 half tons and Delhi Capitals opener Shikhar Dhawan who has played bulk of his cricket with Sunrisers Hyderabad has registered 37 tons.
MOST 6s: Windies belligerent opener Chris Gayle is the runaway leader for the most number of sixes in the Indian Premier League. The KXIP swashbuckling opener who has played major part of his career with RCB has smashed 326 sixes in the IPL, cementing his place as the most destructive strokemaker in the history of the league.
South African batting wizard AB De Villiers who also happens to be one of the pillars of RCB batting unit is second on the six hitting list with 212 maximums out of the park.
MOST 4s: Shikhar Dhawan who has got his franchises to some flying starts up the order has scored 524 boundaries in his stellar IPL career. CSK's pugnacious finisher Suresh Raina is second on the boundary hitting list with 493 boundaries.
MOST RUNS IN SINGLE EDITION OF IPL: Virat Kohli holds the record for scoring most runs in single edition of the Indian Premier League.The RCB skipper notched up a staggering 973 runs in the 2016 edition of the IPL.
FASTEST TONS: The powerfully built Jamaican opener Chris Gayle scored a blistering 30-ball century for Royal Challengers Bangalore against Pune Warriors in the 2013 edition of the IPL. The whirlwind knock happens to be the fastest ton in the history of the league.