CSK to host RCB in IPL opener, 21 matches in 1st phase from Mar 22 to Apr 7
Delhi Capitals to play their first two home matches in Visakhapatnam. They will host CSK on March 31 in the port city and will then face KKR at the same venue on April 3
New Delhi: Given the upcoming general elections in the country, the Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) on Thursday unveiled the schedule of the first 17 days of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Defending champions Chennai Super Kings will play Royal Challengers Bangalore in the season opener at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai on March 22. During the period from March 22 to April 7, a total of 21 matches will be played across 10 cities, with each team playing a minimum of three matches and a maximum of five.
As per the schedule, all the teams except Delhi Capitals will host at least one match at their home ground. Delhi franchise has chosen to play their first two home matches in Visakhapatnam. Capitals will host CSK on March 31 in the port city and will then face KKR at the same venue on April 3. In the past, Visakhapatnam has hosted 13 IPL matches (2 in 2012, 3 in 2015, 6 in 2016 and 2 in 2019). The venue served as the home ground for Delhi in the last of these four seasons. First, it hosted an eliminator between DC and Sunrisers Hyderabad followed by Qualifier 2 where Delhi played against CSK.
“Delhi co-owners GMR prefers Visakhapatnam as its subsidiary is GMR Visakhapatnam International Airport Limited is developing a greenfield airport at Bhogapuram in Vizianagaram district. That’s why they preferred the venue for their knockout matches in 2019. Besides, Delhi being the national capital is expected to remain in focus in coming months due to general elections,” a source in the know of things told this daily.
The Women’s Premier League starting on Friday can also be a reason as the second edition of the tournament is being hosted in two legs — the first one in Bengaluru while the second will be played in Delhi. The Arun Jaitley Stadium in the city will host consecutive WPL matches from March 5 to 13 (9 games) apart from an eliminator and final on March 15 and 17. With the facility in use continuously for 11 matches, the curator too will require time to prepare the pitch for the IPL.
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