IPL 2015 Schedule: Live Stream Info and Predictions for Upcoming Fixtures
Reigning champions Kolkata Knight Riders kick of the 2015 IPL on Wednesday against last year's fourth-placed Mumbai Indians.
The clash at Kolkata's Eden Gardens will set the ball rolling for another six weeks of huge-hitting action in India, with Chennai Super Kings entering the tournament as favourites.
The Super Kings face 2014 whipping boys Delhi Daredevils on Thursday, who will be looking for a fast start after last season's disappointment.
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Here are the upcoming fixtures for the first week of action in the 2015 IPL, along with predictions, live streaming information and a closer examination of the opening two clashes.
| Date | Time (BST/IST) | Fixture | Prediction |
| April 8 | 3:30 p.m/8 p.m. | Kolkata Knight Riders v Mumbai Indians | KKR win |
| April 9 | 3:30 p.m/8 p.m. | Chennai Super Kings v Delhi Daredevils | CSK win |
| April 10 | 3:30 p.m/8 p.m. | Kings XI Punjab v Rajasthan Royals | RR win |
| April 11 | 11:30 a.m./4 p.m. | Chennai Super Kings v Sunrisers Hyderabad | CSK win |
| April 11 | 3:30 p.m/8 p.m. | Kolkata Knight Riders v Royal Challengers Bangalore | RCB win |
| April 12 | 11:30 a.m./4 p.m. | Delhi Daredevils v Rajasthan Royals | RR win |
| April 12 | 3:30 p.m/8 p.m. | Mumbai Indians v Kings XI Punjab | KXIP win |
| April 13 | 3:30 p.m/8 p.m. | Royal Challengers Bangalore v Sunrisers Hyderabad | RCB win |
| April 14 | 3:30 p.m/8 p.m. | Rajasthan Royals v Mumbai Indians | MI win |
All matches available to live stream in the UK via Sky Go.
Kolkata Knight Riders vs. Mumbai Indians
This year's tournament opener is set to be an absolute belter with Kolkata and Mumbai looking fairly evenly matched going into the Eden Gardens clash.
All eyes will be on Sunil Narine, the Knight Riders' mystery spinner having been cleared to play after his re-worked action was recently passed by the BCCI, per ESPN Cricinfo.
The West Indian was the tournament's second highest wicket-taker last year, and his return to the side could be key for KKR, per statistician Mohandas Menon:
Morne Morkel and Umesh Yadav—both impressive at the recent World Cup—add some strong pace options for the Knight Riders to go alongside Narine.
In Gautam Gambhir, Manish Pandey and Robin Uthappa—last year's tournament top-scorer—they have experience galore in the batting department which should prove vital as the tournament moves on.
The defending champions face a tough task against the Mumbai Indians, though, with the likes of Lasith Malinga and Josh Hazelwood set to be dangerous with the ball after their efforts at the World Cup.
Mumbai also have immense power in their batting lineup; Corey Anderson, Aaron Finch, Rohit Sharma and Kieron Pollard all capable of scoring big.
The experience of Narine, Gambhir, Pandey and Uthappa—all IPL winners from last year—should shine through in Wednesday's opener, with the West Indian set to return with a few wickets, but it will be a tight clash.
Prediction: KKR win
Chennai Super Kings vs. Delhi Daredevils
Chennai are the pre-tournament favourites for a very simple reason; they look to have the best squad, with strength in both the bowling and batting departments.
MS Dhoni leads the side, the Indian skipper's capabilities in T20 cricket are well documented. He is arguably the greatest finisher of all time in short-form cricket.
He is joined by the formidable Brendon McCullum, fresh from an impressive showing at the World Cup, and one of the most destructive T20 cricketers in the game, per Sky Sports News HQ:
An Indian core including Suresh Raina, Ravi Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Mohit Sharma is set to be complemented by Faf du Plessis, Dwayne Bravo, Kyle Abbot and veteran Michael Hussey.
In almost every area, they have immense depth. A nice mixture of spin and pace in the bowling lineup is paired with power and panache with the bat.
While Delhi will surely improve on their last-placed finish of 2014—Imran Tahir should be very effective after a fine World Cup—the Super Kings look like the obvious victors for Thursday's Chennai clash.
They have the home advantage and the better squad, and they should get off to a winning start as they pursue glory in IPL 2015.
Prediction: CSK win
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