India ready for third edition of IPL

shanThe third edition of the Indian Premier League is all set to begin. Defending champions Deccan Chargers would take on Kolkata Knight Riders in the opening game at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.

Led by Adam Gilchrist, the Chargers had made a remarkable turnaround last year when they leaped from last place to eventually win the title.

Sourav Ganguly's Knight Riders on the other hand have much to prove. The Shah Rukh Khan-backed team had finished last in 2009, despite having a star-studded team and the most elaborate of coaching set-ups.

This year's IPL would also feature those cricketers, who have returned to the mainstream after being banned for playing in the unofficial Indian Cricket League.

Most notable of them is Shane Bond, who has been signed by Delhi Daredevils.

Five new venues have been added to the IPL itinerary, while one regular venue --- Hyderabad --- has been dropped due to the Telangana agitation in Andhra Pradesh.

Ahmedabad, Cuttack, Dharamsala, Mumbai's Brabourne Stadium, and Nagpur would get their slice of IPL action this year.