The Indian Premier League’s 2024 season is progressing with great excitement and now the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has unveiled the much-awaited continuation of the tournament’s fixtures. According to the latest report released by Cricbuzz, the culmination of the IPL will see the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai come alive with the thrill of the final clash on May 26. But before the final showdown, Chennai, or Chepauk as it is affectionately called, will also host the Qualifier 2 match scheduled for May 24.
Further sweetening the pot for cricket fans in Ahmedabad, the Narendra Modi Stadium—a marvel of engineering and the world’s largest cricket arena—is set to stage two critical playoff matches. The first of these—the Qualifier 1—and the Eliminator match are booked for consecutive dates on May 21 and 22, setting the stage for what promises to be an enthralling lead-up to the final.
In a definitive move underscoring the BCCI’s commitment to keeping the league rooted in its home country, IPL 2024 will not venture outside Indian borders, a decision reaffirmed earlier by BCCI secretary Jay Shah.
Cricket aficionados in India will be treated to a resumption of the tournament’s energy on April 8, following swiftly on the heels of the initial phase which was previously announced. The reigning champions, Chennai Super Kings, will step onto their home turf to face the Kolkata Knight Riders in what is expected to be a riveting night match. This encounter sets the tone for the rest of the tournament as teams vie for the prestigious title.
While the bigger venues often steal the limelight, the BCCI has ensured that the joys of IPL cricket also touch other cities. Dharamsala will bask in the tournament’s glow with the Punjab Kings playing a duo of matches at this scenic venue—first locking horns with the Chennai Super Kings on May 5 and then battling Royal Challengers Bangalore on May 9.
Guwahati joins the party as the alternative home ground for the Rajasthan Royals, set to welcome fans for a pair of league fixtures. A clash against the Punjab Kings on May 15 precedes what will be a crucial face-off with the Kolkata Knight Riders on May 19; the latter match also represents the concluding league game of the season.
It was widely anticipated that the stadiums playing host to the Chennai Super Kings and Gujarat Titans—the finalists of the preceding tournament—would be granted the honor of hosting the playoff rounds, including the final. Indeed, the MA Chidambaram Stadium welcomed the opening duel of IPL 2024 on March 22, reaffirming Chepauk’s venerated position in the IPL constellation.
The BCCI had earlier planned the initial phase of the IPL to dovetail with the schedule of the national general elections. The league sparked into action on March 22 with the Super Kings pitted against Royal Challengers Bangalore in Chennai. This thoughtfully crafted schedule comprised 21 fixtures extending from March 22 to April 7, circumventing any overlaps with the polling dates for the Lok Sabha elections which will span from April 19 to June 1 across seven phases.
The BCCI’s meticulous approach to setting the IPL timetable showcases its intent to manage the cricketing extravaganza in harmony with the pivotal democratic process of the country, ensuring that the spirit of cricket continues to flourish unimpeded. Consequently, as the IPL 2024 moves forward, fans will once again marvel at the spectacle of cricket in India, as the tournament cements its reputation as a celebration that encapsulates the zest and fervor of the nation.
