The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has unveiled the eagerly anticipated schedule for the first two weeks of the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, set to commence from March 22, 2024, and run through April 7, 2024.
Across a span of two weeks, cricket enthusiasts can expect a thrilling lineup of 21 matches spread across 10 cities. Each participating team is slated to play a minimum of three matches and a maximum of five during this initial phase.
The much-anticipated 17th season of the IPL will kick off with a clash between the defending champions, the Chennai Super Kings, and the Royal Challengers Bangalore in Chennai on Friday. The excitement continues over the first weekend with two double headers. The action-packed Saturday will see the Punjab Kings locking horns with the Delhi Capitals in the afternoon, followed by an evening showdown between the Kolkata Knight Riders and the Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Moving to Sunday, March 24th, cricket enthusiasts will be treated to a clash between the Rajasthan Royals and the Lucknow Super Giants in Jaipur during the afternoon. The evening match will witness a face-off between the Gujarat Titans, the 2022 champions and last season’s finalists, and the formidable Mumbai Indians.
The Delhi Capitals, opting to play their first two home matches in Visakhapatnam, will host the Chennai Super Kings on Sunday, March 31st, in the port city. They will then face the Kolkata Knight Riders at the same venue on Wednesday, April 3rd.
Moreover, in alignment with past practices, the BCCI underscores its commitment to collaborating closely with governmental and security agencies to ensure compliance with all requisite protocols and advisories, particularly in light of the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections in India.
Upon the announcement of the polling dates for the 18th Lok Sabha elections, the Board will conduct a thorough review to address any scheduling concerns for the initial two weeks. Subsequently, the BCCI will coordinate with local authorities to finalize the schedule for the remainder of the season, ensuring minimal disruption to cricketing action while respecting the democratic process.
