Lucknow: Cricket enthusiasts in Uttar Pradesh can gear up for an exciting season as the schedule for the much-anticipated Indian Premier League (IPL) has been officially released on Sunday. Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) will play seven home matches at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Stadium this season. These matches are slated for April 1, 4, 12, 14, 22, and May 9 and 18.
A major highlight of this IPL season will be Indian cricket star Rishabh Pant making his debut as LSG captain at Ekana on April 1. LSG had secured Pant in the IPL auction for a record ₹27 crore, making him one of the most expensive players this season. Last month, team owner Dr. Sanjiv Goenka announced Pant’s appointment as team captain.
Joining Pant in the LSG lineup are several international cricketing stalwarts, including Australian all-rounder Mitchell Marsh, South African star Aiden Markram, and David Miller. Indian players like Akash Deep, Avesh Khan, and Abdul Samad further strengthen the squad.
Uday Sinha, CMD of Ekana Sports City, stated that the stadium is fully prepared to host yet another thrilling IPL season. “Fans can expect high-voltage matches, and with Rishabh Pant leading LSG, the excitement will be unparalleled,” Sinha added. Notably, Ekana is already hosting matches for the Women’s Premier League (WPL) as a prelude to the IPL.
Spotlight on Three Key Matches
Among the seven matches at Ekana, three clashes are expected to draw special attention as LSG takes on Mumbai Indians (MI), Chennai Super Kings (CSK), and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). These games are expected to be high-octane encounters, given the fierce competition and fan following of the opposing teams.
Preparations are in full swing, and Lucknow is set to witness a festival of cricket as the IPL action unfolds in the city.
