Reversal News Desk,
This season of IPL was supposed to start on March 14. However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has changed the schedule of the franchise league. According to the changed schedule, it will start a week later on March 21. The final of the 18th season of IPL will be on May 25.
The decision was taken at a special general meeting of the BCCI on Sunday (January 12) night. This was reported by cricket website ESPN Cricinfo.
The final of the ICC Champions Trophy will be held on March 9. If the IPL starts within five days of the end of the tournament, it would have been a bit rushed. For this reason, the authorities have decided to keep a gap of about two weeks between the end of the Champions Trophy and the start of the IPL.
The opening match will be held at Eden Gardens, the ground of last season’s champions Kolkata Knight Riders. The second qualifier and the final are also scheduled to be held at Eden Gardens. The first qualifier and eliminator will be held at Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, the ground of last season’s runners-up Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Although the number of matches was supposed to be increased this season, the IPL Governing Council has backed away from the decision. Like the last three years, there will be 74 matches this time too. The final schedule is likely to be announced by the end of this month after discussions with everyone involved in the IPL.
