Indian Premier League’s 18th season

Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya are among the stars set to miss the opening action when the Indian Premier League returns for its 18th season.

The defending champion Kolkata Knight Riders will host Royal Challengers Bengaluru at Eden Gardens on Saturday to open the 74-match, nine-week tournament. Kolkata will also host two knockout games, including the May 25 final.

Last year’s runners-up Sunrisers Hyderabad begins Sunday against Rajasthan Royals, who were the inaugural champions in 2008. Hyderabad will host the first two knockout games.

Chennai Supers Kings will host Mumbai Indians — both five-time champions — in Sunday’s second game.

Bumrah, the world’s top fast bowler, will miss that game for Mumbai as he hasn’t recovered from a lower back injury sustained in January during India’s tour of Australia. He could miss at least one-third of the IPL.

Mumbai skipper Pandya will also miss the high-profile match — he is suspended for a slow over rate in last year’s last game and the penalty is being imposed to start the season.

Vice-captain Suryakumar Yadav will lead Mumbai Indians in the season opener.