Chennai Super Kings team celebrates after winning the IPL in 2011
Starting April 4th, India will once again be seized with cricket frenzy as Indian Premier League (IPL) – the most extravagantly packaged avatar of cricket – gets underway.
Nine star-studded teams – Chennai Super Kings, Deccan Chargers, Delhi Daredevils, Kings XI Punjab, Kolkata Knight Riders, Mumbai Indians, Sahara Pune Warriors, Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bangalore – would once again duel on cricket pitches spread across the country for the prestigious IPL trophy and prize money of US$ 2 million.
The previous four editions of IPL have proved that IPL is more than just cricket. Besides Indian cricket greats like Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly and M S Dhoni, the event will also bring together many international stars including Jacques Kallis, Kieron Pollard, Lasith Malinga, Michael Hussey and Kevin Pieterson.
Cheerleaders have become a regular feature during IPL matches
It will be a total of 76 matches spread over 54 days. We at India.com Travel love cricket but we thought it would be interesting to take a look at the cities where the matches are scheduled too. It definitely adds to the lure – travel for a cricket match, stay back to discover a city.
Mohali/Chandigarh
Home ground of Kings XI Punjab
Mohali is nine km from Chandigarh, which serves as capital for Punjab and Haryana. Designed by French architect Le Corbusier, Chandigarh is famous for its planned layout, government buildings, gardens notable being the Rock Garden and Sukhna Lake. Chandigarh is home to a lot of sporting activity. A visit to Chandigarh is incomplete without tasting the renowned cuisine of Punjab. Shake of the stupor which follows after a scrumptious Punjabi meal with the vibrant folk dances of the land of the five rivers.
Dharamsala
Home ground of Kings XI Punjab
Situated in the picturesque Kangra valley in Himachal Pradesh, Dharamsala is an ideal retreat for nature lovers. Dharamsala is home to the Tibetan community and epicentre of religio-tourism centred around Tibetan Buddhism. Dharmshala has the highest cricket ground in the world.
Hyderabad
Home ground of Deccan Chargers (Hyderabad, along with Cuttack and Vishakhapatnam or Vizag are the home grounds of Deccan Chargers)
The 400-year-old city of Hyderabad is famous for Charminar, Golconda fort and palaces which stand testimony to the splendor and magnificence of the city. The eclectic blend of South Indian with Muslim culture of the Nizams, has given the city a charm of its own. Right from the famous Hyderabadi Biryani to Haleem, Hyderabad serves some of the amazing food in the country. The Pearl City is also home to the country’s third largest film industry- Tollywood.
Vishakhapatnam
Home ground of Deccan Chargers
Also known as Vizag, Vishakhapatnam or the City of Destiny, is popular port and home to India’s Eastern Naval Command. Attractive beaches, stunning hills and breathtaking landscapes make the city a favourite with tourists. Spicy Andhra food is served in its most delicious form at Vishakapatnam.
Crowds apparently prefer the shorter and exciting version of cricket
Cuttack
Home ground of Deccan Chargers
Cuttack, a former capital of Odhisa is famous for its innumerable Hindu, Muslim and Buddhist pilgrim sites. Cuttack means fort and it is the site of the Barabati Killa. Cuttack is known for its spicy food.
Delhi
Home ground of Delhi Daredevils
Seat of power for over a millennium, Delhi was destroyed and built seven times. Continuously inhabited since the sixth century, Delhi stands on the banks of River Yamuna. From the days of Pandavas to Lutyen’s Delhi, Delhi offers a kaleidoscope of India’s history and heritage. Delhi is a treat for food lovers. Street food of Delhi is extremely famous. Various social and cultural events of national and international importance are held at Delhi throughout the year. Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida is the venue for Formula 1 Indian Grand Prix, among the top five fastest circuits in the world.
Big names from Bollywood and India Inc have been seized with the cricket frenzy
Mumbai
Home ground of Mumbai Indians
The financial capital of India, Mumbai is the city on the move. Known as ‘the city of opportunity’, lakh of people migrate to Mumbai to seek a livelihood. The cosmopolitan city is home to the Hindi film industry. Even as skyscrapers mushroom, the city hangs on to its colonial past and has preserved British era buildings. Known for its street food, Mumbai offers a wide variety of cuisine as it has been a melting pot of different communities and religions. One of the costliest cities of the world, Mumbai has been feted in literature and movies.
Jaipur
Home ground of Rajasthan Royals
As many as 76 matches will be played over 54 days across India
The Pink City of India, Jaipur, is renowned for its fascinating monuments, royal splendour, colorful markets, handlooms and cuisine. Monuments like Hawa Mahal and Jantar Mantar stand testimony to the royal splendour, Jaipur has been a favourite with international celebrities. It is also the venue for the international literary event. Rajasthani cuisine is served in its most authentic form in Jaipur. City is also known for its exotic jewelry, striking cotton fabrics and embroidered jutis.
Bengaluru
Home ground of Royal Challengers Bangalore
Known as the ‘Silicon Valley of East’, Bengaluru was earlier known as Bangalore. Known as the Garden City, Bengaluru was once known as the pensioner’s paradise. Tipu Sultan’s palace and Bangalore palace are some of the must visit places in Bengaluru apart from its gardens and lakes. The cosmopolitan city is popular for its night life as it houses a large number of clubs and pubs. Bengaluru along with Hyderabad is at the forefront of India’s IT revolution and a prominent outsourcing hub. Bangalore is the second fastest growing major metropolis in India.
Pune
Home ground of Sahara Pune Warriors
Pune was the capital of the Maratha Empire and Maharashtra’s cultural capital. Standing at the convergence of Mula and Mutha rivers; Pune’s history dates back to 1600 years. Literally meaning the ‘city of virtue’, Aga Khan Palace and Shanivar Wada, Pune is the home of India Army’s southern command. It was the “monsoon capital” of the Bombay Presidency. Pune, earlier known as Poona, has been a favourite with international travellers because of the Osho Ashram located at Koregaon Park.
IPL's glamour quotient has increased with Bollywood joining the IPL bandwagon
Kolkata
Home ground of Kolkata Knight Riders
The ‘City of Joy’ was the capital of British Raj before it was shifted to Delhi. It’s the city of intellectuals where bhadralok loves to debate over political ideologies, football and Tagore – not necessarily in that order. City is crazy about sports like football and cricket and for its love for music, dance, poetry, painting, films, etc. Finicky about its Ilish curry and macher jhol, Bengalis take pride about their roshogulla and sandesh. The only city in India where trams still run, the city has something to satisfy everyone.
Chennai
Home ground of Chennai Super Kings
A major commercial, cultural and educational centre, Chennai is famous for its rich heritage and culture. The oldest municipal corporation in India, Chennai is a potpourri of cultural influences. From Carnatic music and Bharatnatyam to Tamil reggae and fusion, Chennai offers a lot when it comes to art and culture. Kollywood, the name by which Tamil film industry is known, is the second biggest film industry in the country. It’s the land of idlis, dosas, tairsadams and rasam vadas, but don’t be fooled by the city’s appearance. It is also the place Rajnikanth calls home.
Previous four editions of IPL have proved that IPL is more than just cricket