Tushar In the IPL 2024 Schedule, it’s worth noting that Chennai’s team will be stepping onto the field for the opening match of an IPL season for the ninth time. Before this, they’ve had the honor in 2009, 2011, 2012, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, and 2023.
The schedule for the 17th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) was released on Thursday, February 22. Excitingly, the first match will feature the defending champions, the Chennai Super Kings, stepping onto the field. This opening clash is set to take place at their home ground, the iconic M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, on March 22, where they’ll be up against the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). With the schedule for the first 21 matches out, it’s interesting to note that this will be Chennai’s ninth time leading the charge in an IPL season opener. They’ve previously kicked off the season in 2009, 2011, 2012, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, and 2023.
The Delhi Capitals will play their first two matches in Visakhapatnam because the Women’s Premier League final is happening in Delhi. This gives time for the ground to be ready for the IPL matches afterwards. The full IPL schedule isn’t out yet because of the upcoming general elections in the country. We only know the schedule for the first 17 days. The rest of the matches will be scheduled once the dates for the Lok Sabha elections are known.
In their press statement, BCCI mentioned that over the next two weeks, we’ll have 21 matches happening in 10 different cities. Each team will play at least three matches and up to five matches. The first weekend will be busy with two double headers. It all starts with Punjab Kings hosting Delhi Capitals on Saturday afternoon, followed by Kolkata Knight Riders facing Sunrisers Hyderabad in the evening. Then, on Sunday afternoon (March 24), Rajasthan Royals will play against Lucknow Super Giants in Jaipur. And to end the weekend, in the evening, Gujarat Titans will take on the five-time champions Mumbai Indians.
The board said, “BCCI will work with the government and security agencies to follow all necessary rules and advice for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in India. Once the dates for the 18th Lok Sabha elections are announced, we’ll check if any issues come up with the first two weeks of the schedule and fix them. Then, we’ll work with local authorities to finalize the schedule for the rest of the matches, keeping in mind the election dates.”
IPL Chairman Arun Dhumal said the whole tournament will happen in India. In 2009, it was all played in South Africa, and in 2014, some matches were in the UAE because of elections. But even with elections in 2019, the tournament stayed in India.
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