IPL back on as SuperSport secure broadcast deal

After a dramatic 24 hours in which SuperSport said they wouldn’t broadcast this year’s Indian Premier League, they announced on Friday afternoon they now would show all 74 matches.

The broadcaster initially said they were unable to secure a deal to show the IPL, but after negotiations between television station owners and possibly the Indian cricket board and even the IPL, a deal has been struck to show the tournament in South Africa.

The tournament gets underway on Friday when the defending champions, the Gujarat Titans take on the Chennai Super Kings.

SuperSport said in a statement on Friday:

Sixteen South Africans will play in this year’s IPL.

Two of the 10 teams will be captained by South Africans: Faf du Plessis will take charge of the Royal Challengers Bangalore, while Aiden Markram will lead the Sunrisers Hyderabad.

The league stage will run until 21 May after which the knockout rounds will be played.