The highly anticipated 18th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL)  will get underway today when the defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Here we present you some interesting facts about the tournament:  

• KKR and RCB played the very first game of IPL back in 2008 in Bengaluru. Since then, the two sides have never met in the opening game of any of the other edition of the competition.   
• Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings are the most successful teams in the biggest franchise-based T20 tournament in the world. Both Mumbai (2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2020) and Chennai (2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, 2023) have won the title five times each.
• Defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders have won the title thrice (2012, 2014, 2024).
• With 8004 runs in 252 matches, RCB's Virat Kohli is the highest run-getter in the tournament.
• Yuzvendra Chahal, who will play for Punjab Kings this season, is the highest wicket-taker in the tournament. He has 205 wickets in 160 games.
• Chennai Super Kings' MS Dhoni is the player with most matches in the competition, having played a total of 264 matches.