IPL Schedule Announced: Kolkata to Host Opener and Final

Sports Desk

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to return, with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) releasing the final schedule. The tournament will begin on March 22 and conclude with the final on May 25.

The opening and final matches will take place at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, the home ground of last season’s champions, Kolkata Knight Riders. The opening match will feature Kolkata Knight Riders against Royal Challengers Bangalore. Initially scheduled for March 14, the start date was postponed twice, ultimately settling on March 22 for the 18th edition of the league.

The tournament will feature 10 teams competing in 74 matches over two months. Matches will be held at 13 venues. Seven teams will play in their home cities, including Kolkata, Mumbai, Lucknow, Hyderabad, Chennai, Bangalore, and Ahmedabad. The other three teams will split their home matches across two venues: Delhi Capitals in Visakhapatnam and Delhi, Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur and Guwahati, and Punjab Kings in Dharamshala and Chandigarh.

Playoff matches will take place in Hyderabad and Kolkata. Hyderabad will host the first qualifier and eliminator on May 20 and 21. The second qualifier and the final will take place in Kolkata on May 23 and 25.

The IPL player auction was held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in November. Although 12 Bangladeshi players were listed, none were selected.