PREVIEW | 11 South Africans set to light up IPL stage in expanded 2022 edition

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is back for its 15th edition, with 11 South Africans looking to impress in India.

In 2021, the Chennai Super Kings reigned supreme in a Covid-19 hit tournament, which was played in India and the United Arab Emirates.

This year's season starts on Saturday, with two new franchises - Gujarat Titans and Lucknow Super Giants - expanding the tournament to 10 teams.

Where to watch it

All the games from the 65-day tournament will be broadcast live on SuperSport's Cricket Channel (212).

Matches will take place at 16:00 (SA time) and, in the event of double-headers, the first game will start at 12:00 (SA time).

Saturday's opening IPL match sees the defending champions, Chennai Super Kings, take on the Kolkata Knight Riders at 16:00.

The teams will be divided into two groups of five, based on their previous IPL records, with three playoff matches and the final scheduled on 29 May.

The IPL bubble and coronavirus protocols

This year's IPL promises to be the first completed season played entirely in India since 2019.

The group games are restricted to four venues - one in Pune and three in Mumbai. It means that five-time IPL champions Mumbai Indians will be the only team this season to play home matches.

Indian spectators will make a welcome return as stadiums are limited to 25 percent capacity.

If a franchise is unable to field a team, on account of Covid-19, for any match and has "less than 12 players available in their playing XI (of which at least seven must be Indian), plus one substitute fielder", then the game will be rescheduled at a later date.

World-class South African contingent 

Eleven South African players are currently in India, with several players donning different colours after this year's IPL