(Image source: X.com)
[Saba Sports News] India’s cricketing extravaganza, the Indian Premier League (IPL), returns with its much-awaited 17th edition, set to captivate fans from March 22.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has released only the schedule for the first 17 days and 21 matches due to the impending Lok Sabha elections in 2024. Once the Election Commission of India announces the general election dates, the remainder of the IPL schedule will be unveiled.
The inaugural match of IPL 2024 will witness the defending champions, Chennai Super Kings (CSK), led by Mahendra Singh Dhoni, squaring off against Faf du Plessis’ Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at the iconic M. Chidambaram Stadium.
It is a departure from the norm where the winner and runner-up of the previous season usually confront the champions; however, this time, RCB, finishing sixth in the points table in IPL 2023, gets the opener slot. Gujarat Titans (GT), last season’s finalist, will be led by the new captain Shubman Gill this time around and will face Hardik Pandya’s Mumbai Indians (MI) on March 24 in Ahmedabad.
Among the notable matches in the opening week, the North derby will spark excitement as Punjab Kings (PBKS) clash with Delhi Capitals (DC) on March 23. In a double-header on the same day, two-time IPL champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are set to face Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the iconic Eden Gardens, while Rajasthan Royals (RR), the inaugural IPL champions, will lock horns with Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on in the afternoon match on March 24.
The wait is over 🥳
𝙎𝘾𝙃𝙀𝘿𝙐𝙇𝙀 for the first 2⃣1⃣ matches of #TATAIPL 2024 is out!
Which fixture are you looking forward to the most 🤔 pic.twitter.com/HFIyVUZFbo
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) February 22, 2024
In the initial phase of the announced schedule, all teams except PBKS and KKR will play at least two matches at their home grounds. Notably, PBKS will now play their home matches at the newly constructed cricket stadium in Mullanpur, replacing the IS Bindra Cricket Stadium.
Furthermore, DC, scheduled to play against CSK and KKR on March 31 and April 3 espectively, will not play at their original home ground, the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Instead, they will play their matches at a makeshift home stadium in Vizag. This decision stems from the upcoming season of the Women’s Premier League (WPL), which will be held in two phases, with the first 11 matches in Bengaluru and the remaining in Delhi. To maintain pitch quality and ensure minimal wear and tear, the stadium requires preparation time.
The match timings remain consistent with previous seasons, with games commencing at 7:30 PM and double header days starting at 3:30 PM under the blazing sun.
Like the 2019 IPL edition, all matches of IPL 2024 will be held in India despite the overlap with the Lok Sabha elections.