The fixture lists for the 2021 season of the IPL has been announced. The Covid-modified scheduled will see all the sides playing fixtures at neutral venues across the 56-game regular season.
Mumbai Indians will begin their title defence against Virat Kohli’s Royal Challengers Bangalore in Chennai on April 9.
The tournament will be played across six cities: Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, and Kolkata.
The playoffs and final will be staged at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, meaning IPL cricket will be played at the world’s largest cricket stadium for the first time.
Schedule (UAE times)
1. Friday, April 9 – 6pm, Chennai: Mumbai Indians v Royal Challengers Bangalore
2. Saturday, April 10 – 6pm, Mumbai: Chennai Super Kings v Delhi Capitals
3. Sunday, April 11 – 6pm, Chennai: Sunrisers Hyderabad v Kolkata Knight Riders
4. Monday, April 12 – 6pm, Mumbai: Rajasthan Royals v Punjab Kings
5. Tuesday, April 13 – 6pm, Chennai: Kolkata Knight Riders v Mumbai Indians
6. Wednesday, April 14 – 6pm, Chennai: Sunrisers Hyderabad v Royal Challengers Bangalore
7. Thursday, April 15 – 6pm, Mumbai: Rajasthan Royals v Delhi Capitals
8. Friday, April 16 – 6pm, Mumbai: Punjab Kings v Chennai Super Kings
9. Saturday, April 17 – 6pm, Chennai: Mumbai Indians v Sunrisers Hyderabad
10. Sunday, April 18 – 2pm, Chennai: Royal Challengers Bangalore v Kolkata Knight Riders
11. Sunday, April 18 – 6pm, Mumbai: Delhi Capitals v Punjab Kings
12. Monday, April 19 – 6pm, Mumbai: Chennai Super Kings v Rajasthan Royals
13. Tuesday, April 20 – 6pm, Chennai: Delhi Capitals v Mumbai Indians
14. Wednesday, April 21 – 2pm, Chennai: Punjab Kings v Sunrisers Hyderabad
15. Wednesday, April 21 – 6pm, Mumbai: Kolkata Knight Riders v Chennai Super Kings
16. Thursday, April 22 – 6pm, Mumbai: Royal Challengers Bangalore v Rajasthan Royals
17. Friday, April 23 – 6pm, Chennai: Punjab Kings v Mumbai Indians
18. Saturday, April 24 – 6pm, Mumbai: Rajasthan Royals v Kolkata Knight Riders
19. Sunday, April 25 – 2pm, Mumbai: Chennai Super Kings v Royal Challengers Bangalore
20. Sunday, April 25 – 6pm, Chennai: Sunrisers Hyderabad v Delhi Capitals
21. Monday, April 26 – 6pm, Ahmedabad: Punjab Kings v Kolkata Knight Riders
22. Tuesday, April 27 – 6pm, Ahmedabad: Delhi Capitals v Royal Challengers Bangalore
23. Wednesday, April 28 – 6pm, Delhi: Chennai Super Kings v Sunrisers Hyderabad
24. Thursday, April 29 – 2pm, Delhi: Mumbai Indians v Rajasthan Royals
25. Thursday, April 29 – 6pm, Ahmedabad: Delhi Capitals v Kolkata Knight Riders
26. Friday, April 30 – 6pm, Ahmedabad: Punjab Kings v Royal Challengers Bangalore
27. Saturday, May 1 – 6pm, Delhi: Mumbai Indians v Chennai Super Kings
28. Sunday, May 2 – 2pm, Delhi: Rajasthan Royals v Sunrisers Hyderabad
29. Sunday, May 2 – 6pm, Ahmedabad: Punjab Kings v Delhi Capitals
30. Monday, May 3 – 6pm, Ahmedabad: Kolkata Knight Riders v Royal Challengers Bangalore
31. Tuesday, May 4 – 6pm, Delhi: Sunrisers Hyderabad v Mumbai Indians
32. Wednesday, May 5 – 6pm, Delhi: Rajasthan Royals v Chennai Super Kings
33. Thursday, May 6 – 6pm, Ahmedabad: Royal Challengers Bangalore v Punjab Kings
34. Friday, May 7 – 6pm, Delhi: Sunrisers Hyderabad v Chennai Super Kings
35. Saturday, May 8 – 2pm, Ahmedabad: Kolkata Knight Riders v Delhi Capitals
36. Saturday, May 8 – 6pm, Delhi: Rajasthan Royals v Mumbai Indians
37. Sunday, May 9 – 2pm, Bangalore: Chennai Super Kings v Punjab Kings
38. Sunday, May 9 – 6pm, Kolkata: Royal Challengers Bangalore v Sunrisers Hyderabad
39. Monday, May 10 – 6pm, Bangalore: Mumbai Indians v Kolkata Knight Riders
40. Tuesday, May 11 – 6pm, Kolkata: Delhi Capitals v Rajasthan Royals
41. Wednesday, May 12 – 6pm, Bangalore: Chennai Super Kings v Kolkata Knight Riders
42. Thursday, May 13 – 2pm, Bangalore: Mumbai Indians v Punjab Kings
43. Thursday, May 13 – 6pm, Kolkata: Sunrisers Hyderabad v Rajasthan Royals
44. Friday, May 14 – 6pm, Kolkata: Royal Challengers Bangalore v Delhi Capitals
45. Saturday, May 15 – 6pm, Bangalore: Kolkata Knight Riders v Punjab Kings
46. Sunday, May 16 – 2pm, Kolkata: Rajasthan Royals v Royal Challengers Bangalore
47. Sunday, May 16 – 6pm, Bangalore: Chennai Super Kings v Mumbai Indians
48. Monday, May 17 – 6pm, Kolkata: Delhi Capitals v Sunrisers Hyderabad
49. Tuesday, May 18 – 6pm, Bangalore: Kolkata Knight Riders v Rajasthan Royals
50. Wednesday, May 19 – 6pm, Bangalore: Sunrisers Hyderabad v Punjab Kings
51. Thursday, May 20 – 6pm, Kolkata: Royal Challengers Bangalore v Mumbai Indians
52. Friday, May 21 – 2pm, Bangalore: Kolkata Knight Riders v Sunrisers Hyderabad
53. Friday, May 22 – 6pm, Kolkata: Delhi Capitals v Chennai Super Kings
54. Saturday, May 22 – 6pm, Bangalore: Punjab Kings v Rajasthan Royals
55. Sunday, May 23 – 2pm, Kolkata: Mumbai Indians v Delhi Capitals
56. Sunday, May 23 – 6pm, Kolkata: Royal Challengers Bangalore v Chennai Super Kings
57. Tuesday, May 25 – 6pm, Ahmedabad: Qualifier 1
58. Wednesday, May 26 – 6pm, Ahmedabad: Eliminator
59. Friday, May 28 – 6pm, Ahmedabad: Qualifier 2
60. Sunday, May 30 – 6pm, Ahmedabad: Final
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
INFO
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
Blue%20Beetle
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Itcan profile
Founders: Mansour Althani and Abdullah Althani
Based: Business Bay, with offices in Saudi Arabia, Egypt and India
Sector: Technology, digital marketing and e-commerce
Size: 70 employees
Revenue: On track to make Dh100 million in revenue this year since its 2015 launch
Funding: Self-funded to date
Name: Peter Dicce
Title: Assistant dean of students and director of athletics
Favourite sport: soccer
Favourite team: Bayern Munich
Favourite player: Franz Beckenbauer
Favourite activity in Abu Dhabi: scuba diving in the Northern Emirates
Company: Instabug
Founded: 2013
Based: Egypt, Cairo
Sector: IT
Employees: 100
Stage: Series A
Investors: Flat6Labs, Accel, Y Combinator and angel investors
Frankenstein in Baghdad
Ahmed Saadawi
Penguin Press
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Lamsa
Founder: Badr Ward
Launched: 2014
Employees: 60
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: EdTech
Funding to date: $15 million
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
Most sought after workplace benefits in the UAE
- Flexible work arrangements
- Pension support
- Mental well-being assistance
- Insurance coverage for optical, dental, alternative medicine, cancer screening
- Financial well-being incentives
The%20specs
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Thor%3A%20Love%20and%20Thunder%20
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The Bio
Favourite holiday destination: Either Kazakhstan or Montenegro. I’ve been involved in events in both countries and they are just stunning.
Favourite book: I am a huge of Robin Cook’s medical thrillers, which I suppose is quite apt right now. My mother introduced me to them back home in New Zealand.
Favourite film or television programme: Forrest Gump is my favourite film, that’s never been up for debate. I love watching repeats of Mash as well.
Inspiration: My late father moulded me into the man I am today. I would also say disappointment and sadness are great motivators. There are times when events have brought me to my knees but it has also made me determined not to let them get the better of me.
