The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) revealed the schedule for the first phase of the 17th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) on Thursday, with the first match set to be played between defending champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on 22 March.

CSK will get their title defense underway at their home ground, MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. As is tradition, the defending champions get the new edition underway. CSK had beaten GT in last year’s thrilling IPL final.

The schedule was made public for only the first 15 days of competition with the remaining to be announced when the Election Commission of India (ECI) announces the Lok Sabha election dates.

It was earlier announced by IPL chairman Arun Dhumal that the league would begin on 22 March and wrap up on 26 May. Like the 2023 edition, this year’s IPL will feature 74 matches, but with a duration of 67 days instead of 60. The BCCI has extended the schedule by one week to accommodate the Lok Sabha elections anticipated for April or May.

This mirrors the approach taken in 2019, with the fixtures announced in two parts. In line with that edition, the IPL will be held entirely in India, foregoing the 2009 and 2014 editions where it was held fully and partially overseas.

IPL 2024 schedule for first 15 days:

Match 1 on 22 March: Chennai Super Kings vs Royal Challengers Bangalore at 8 PM IST

Match 2 on 23 March: Punjab Kings vs Delhi Capitals at 3:30 PM IST

Match 3 on 23 March: Kolkata Knight Riders vs Sunrisers Hyderabad at 7:30 PM IST

Match 4 on 24 March: Rajasthan Royals vs Lucknow Super Giants at 3:30 PM IST

Match 5 on 24 March: Gujarat Titans vs Mumbai Indians at 7:30 PM IST

Match 6 on 25 March: Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Punjab Kings at 7:30 PM IST

Match 7 on 26 March: Chennai Super Kings vs Gujarat Titans at 7:30 PM IST

Match 8 on 27 March: Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Mumbai Indians at 7:30 PM IST

Match 9 on 28 March: Rajasthan Royals vs Delhi Capitals at 7:30 PM IST

Match 10 on 29 March: Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Kolkata Knight Riders at 7:30 PM IST

Match 11 on 30 March: Lucknow Super Giants vs Punjab Kings at 7:30 PM IST

Match 12 on 31 March: Gujarat Titans vs Sunrisers Hyderabad at 3:30 PM IST

Match 13 on 31 March: Delhi Capitals vs Chennai Super Kings at 7:30 PM IST

Match 14 on 1 April: Mumbai Indians vs Rajasthan Royals at 7:30 PM IST

Match 15 on 2 April: Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Lucknow Super Giants at 7:30 PM IST

Match 16 on 3 April: Delhi Capitals vs Kolkata Knight Riders at 7:30 PM IST

Match 17 on 4 April: Gujarat Titans vs Punjab Kings at 7:30 PM IST

Match 18 on 5 April: Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Chennai Super Kings at 7:30 PM IST at 7:30 PM IST

Match 19 on 6 April: Rajasthan Royals vs Royal Challengers Bangalore at 7:30 PM IST

Match 20 on 7 April: Mumbai Indians vs Delhi Capitals at 3:30 PM IST

Match 21 on 7 April: Lucknow Super Giants vs Gujarat Titans at 7:30 PM IST