The much-awaited schedule for the remainder of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 has finally been unveiled by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The key highlight of the announcement, as revealed by Cricbuzz, is the decision to hold all 74 matches of the IPL 2024 edition exclusively in India. Notably, the league’s business end will take place in Ahmedabad and Chennai.

In a strategic move, the Qualifier 1 and Eliminator matches are slated to occur at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Motera on May 21 and 22 respectively. Following this, the Qualifier 2 and the much-anticipated showdown will grace the Chepauk Stadium in Chennai on May 24 and 26. The selection of these venues for the playoffs comes as no surprise, given their significance and connection to last year’s finalists, Chennai Super Kings and Gujarat Titans.

After releasing the schedule for the initial 21 matches, the BCCI has seamlessly laid out plans for the subsequent games, commencing straightaway with the 22nd encounter on April 8. Opening the second leg is a clash between defending champions Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders at the Chepauk Stadium, slated for an evening fixture.

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Cricbuzz was the first to report the decision to hold the entire IPL 2024 season within India, dispelling earlier speculations of staging part of the league in the UAE. BCCI Secretary Jay Shah, in conversation with Cricbuzz, dismissed any such plans, affirming the board’s commitment to hosting the league domestically across various Indian cities.

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Chennai to host #IPL2024 final on May 26.

More details: https://t.co/v88S7ikRZB pic.twitter.com/vJrFfehweT

— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) March 25, 2024

The BCCI faced the challenge of coordinating the IPL schedule amidst the backdrop of the General Elections in India, scheduled across seven phases from April 19 to June 1, with the counting set for June 4. Remarkably, the IPL operation team managed to navigate these complexities, ensuring minimal overlap with election dates while upholding the integrity of the home and away format.

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The schedule also includes fixtures at secondary venues, with Dharamsala hosting Punjab Kings’ home games against Chennai Super Kings on May 5 and Royal Challengers Bengaluru on May 9. Additionally, Guwahati will welcome Rajasthan Royals for matches against Punjab Kings on May 15 and Kolkata Knight Riders on May 19, with the latter marking the conclusion of the league phase.

Following a one-day hiatus on May 20, the IPL playoffs are set to kick off on May 21, promising cricket enthusiasts an exhilarating culmination to the season.