This year’s IPL was scheduled to start on March 14. However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has changed the schedule.
The 18th edition of the IPL will start on March 21 and the final will be held on May 25. The decision was taken at the BCCI’s Special General Meeting (SGM) last night, according to ESPNcricinfo and Cricbuzz.
It is customary to have the opening match of the next edition of the current champions in the IPL. This time is no exception. The opening match will be played at the Eden Gardens, the ground of last year’s champion Kolkata Knight Riders. The second qualifier and final will also be held at Eden Gardens. The first qualifier and eliminator will be held at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in last year’s runners-up Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Although the number of matches was supposed to be increased in this year’s tournament, the IPL governing body has withdrawn from the decision. Like the last three years, there will be 74 matches. The final schedule may be announced later this month after discussions with everyone involved in the IPL (sponsors, broadcasters, etc.).
The mega auction of the IPL was held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia last November. The 10 franchises of the tournament bought a total of 182 players for Rs 639.15 crore. Retained 46 players.