IPL 2024 schedule announced, Chennai Super Kings to face Royal Challengers Bangalore in inaugural match

The highly-anticipated Indian Premier League 2024 (IPL 2024) is scheduled to begin on March 22, the BCCI announced on Thursday (February 22). The tournament will be held in India despite the general elections.

The upcoming season of the IPL will be the seventeenth edition of the competition. Just like the last edition, IPL 2024 will also be played in the traditional home and away format. The home-and-away format returned last year after a four-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

A total of ten teams will be participating in IPL 2024 – Chennai Super Kings, Delhi Capitals, Gujarat Titans, Kolkata Knight Riders, Lucknow Super Giants, Mumbai Indians, Punjab Kings, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad. Chennai Super Kings are the reigning champions.

The Chennai-based outfit defeated Gujarat Titans in the final last year to win the IPL for a record-equaling fifth time. Chennai as well as Mumbai Indians will be aiming to become the first team in the history of the IPL to win the tournament six times in the upcoming season.

Full IPL 2024 schedule:

While the IPL 2024 schedule was expected to be announced earlier, the BCCI had to delay the announcement because of the general elections. The schedule of the competition depends completely on the election schedule. It is also the reason why the BCCI is announcing the schedule in phases.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India has released a partial schedule for the first 17 days of the IPL 2024 from March 22 to April 7. During this timeframe, a total of 21 matches will be played including 4 double-headers. The rest of the schedule will be announced by the governing body once the Election Commission of India announces the General Election dates.

The defending champions Chennai Super Kings will lock horns with the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the opening fixture in Chennai. While the last year’s finalists Gujarat Titans will open their campaign against Mumbai Indians on March 24 in Ahmedabad.

Here is the IPL 2024 schedule:

🚨 𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗣 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗦 – TATA #IPL2024 Schedule is HERE! 🤩

Get ready for the thrill, excitement and fun to begin! Save this post so you don’t have to search for it again 🔍

It’s #CSKvRCB, @msdhoni 🆚 @imVkohli in the opener! Who’s your pick ? 👀#IPLSchedule #IPLonStar pic.twitter.com/oNLx116Uzi

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) February 22, 2024