Dubai International Cricket Stadium

The fact the auction has taken place really is a starting gun for the race towards season five, which is due to get underway in the third week of November.

And in fact, as we were going live with this podcast, the fixtures for the new season have been announced, with the Vipers beginning things, and in fact, beginning their title defense with a repeat of last season's final against MyEmirates at the Dubai International Stadium on Saturday, the 21st of November.

The Vipers have 10 group matches, two each against the five other teams, finishing up with a match against Gulf Giants, again in Dubai, on Sunday, the 13th of December.

The final series then kicks in from December the 16th, with the final itself in Dubai on Sunday, the 20th.