IPL 2024 opening match and initial schedule out | Check Details
IPL 2024: In a much-awaited announcement, the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 has revealed the opening match between defending champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at the iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium on March 22. Cricket enthusiasts across the globe are gearing up for another thrilling season of T20 action.
The partial schedule released on Thursday comprises the first set of 21 matches, scheduled from March 22 to April 7. The IPL final is projected to take place on May 26, with a mere five days separating it from the opening match of the men's T20 World Cup scheduled in the USA and the Caribbean starting June 1.
The opening weekend of IPL 2024 promises an exhilarating start with two double-headers. On March 23, Punjab Kings will take on Delhi Capitals in a day match, followed by Kolkata Knight Riders hosting Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Eden Gardens. The subsequent day will witness Rajasthan Royals facing Lucknow Super Giants, and Hardik Pandya's Mumbai Indians opening their campaign against Gujarat Titans.
Read | Indians mistakenly target Mauritius instead of Maldives in online uproar
Read | Seattle police officer Kevin Dave escapes charges in Indian student Jaahnavi Kandula's death
Read | Kiru Hydropower corruption case: CBI raids premises of ex-Governor Satya Pal Malik
Among the intriguing aspects of the schedule is the back-to-back matches for Punjab Kings and Titans, who will play immediately after their initial fixtures. Punjab Kings will travel to Bengaluru to face RCB on March 25, while Titans, captained by Shubman Gill following Hardik Pandya's move to Mumbai Indians, will take on CSK in Chennai on March 26.
One noteworthy detail is that Capitals, despite being a prominent franchise, will not play any matches at their home ground, Delhi's Feroz Shah Kotla, in the March 22-April 7 period. The Delhi and District Cricket Association has cited time constraints due to hosting Women's Premier League matches until March 17. Capitals, Titans, and RCB will play five of their 14 matches during this initial 17-day window.
/ptc-news/media/media_files/sweJNwO3kyavT5Nxl9c1.jpg)
KKR, on the other hand, will play only three matches, while the rest of the franchises are scheduled for four games each. Punjab Kings has chosen a new venue, Mullanpur on the outskirts of Chandigarh, for their home games, diverging from their traditional home ground in Mohali.
The return of cricket icons adds an extra layer of excitement to the IPL 2024. MS Dhoni, who underwent knee surgery post the last season, will mark his comeback as CSK's captain. The tournament will also witness Hardik Pandya leading Mumbai Indians after two successful seasons with Titans, where he secured a title win in their inaugural year. Another eagerly anticipated return is that of Rishabh Pant, who is expected to make a comeback to competitive cricket following a car accident in December 2022.
In total, 74 games, including four playoff matches, are slated for this season, promising fans an action-packed and entertaining cricket extravaganza. The IPL has become a global cricketing phenomenon, and the announcement of the opening match and initial schedule has ignited the anticipation of millions of fans worldwide. As the cricketing carnival unfolds, enthusiasts are ready for yet another thrilling season of boundary-breaking performances, nail-biting finishes, and unforgettable cricketing moments. The IPL 2024 is set to captivate audiences and reaffirm its status as one of the premier T20 leagues in the world.
-
