The 2024 edition of the Indian Premier League, known as IPL 17 or TATA IPL 2024, stands as the 17th instalment of this illustrious franchise Twenty20 cricket league in India, orchestrated by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
Spanning from March 22 to May 26, 2024, this season boasts ten teams engaging in 74 thrilling matches, hosted across 13 vibrant cities in India, with the iconic city of Chennai serving as the epicentre for both the opening ceremony and the grand final.
Defending champions, Chennai Super Kings (CSK), etched their name in history by clinching their fifth title in the previous season, triumphing over Gujarat Titans (GT) in a memorable final encounter. This victory propelled them to join Mumbai Indians (MI) as the joint-most successful franchises in the IPL’s storied history.
Notably, both teams recently locked horns in a high-voltage clash, showcasing their fierce rivalry on the field. However, due to their placement in separate groups this IPL season – MI in Group A and CSK in Group B – they are slated to meet only once in the tournament.
Group dynamics
The scheduling format dictates that each team will engage in eight matches against their fellow four teams within their own group, both at home and away. Furthermore, teams will cross swords with four teams from the opposing group once, while facing the remaining fifth side twice. Given these regulations, it’s evident that MI and CSK will not lock horns again during the league stage this year. Nevertheless, the possibility of a playoff rematch looms large, injecting further excitement into their storied rivalry.
Teams
Group A: Mumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight Riders, Rajasthan Royals, Delhi Capitals, Lucknow Super Giants
Group B: Chennai Super Kings, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Punjab Kings, Gujarat Titans
Scheduling format
Group allocation: The IPL organizers divided the teams into two groups at the beginning of the season through a random draw. Each group consists of four teams, and the fixture list is primarily structured around intra-group matches.
Fixture balance: To ensure fairness and balance in the schedule, each team is scheduled to play a total of eight matches within their group, facing each of the other four teams twice (once at home and once away). This accounts for 8 out of the 14 league stage matches.
Cross-group matches: In addition to intra-group encounters, teams also play matches against franchises from the other group to add variety and spice to the tournament. Nonetheless, due to logistical constraints and scheduling considerations, it’s not possible for every team to play all opponents from the opposite group twice.
Random draw: The allocation of cross-group matches is determined through a random draw, adding an element of unpredictability to the scheduling process. As a result, some teams may end up facing certain opponents only once during the league stage, while others have the opportunity to play them twice.
Maximizing viewer interest: The IPL organizers carefully consider various factors, including team rivalries, player matchups, and viewer preferences, when determining the schedule. Certain high-profile matchups, such as clashes between perennial rivals or star-studded teams, may be prioritized to maximize viewer interest and engagement.
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IPL 2024: Teams clashing twice in the group stage
CSK vs RCB:
March 22, Friday – Chennai – 8:00 PM
May 18, Saturday – Bengaluru – 7:30 PM
CSK vs GT:
March 26, Tuesday – Chennai – 7:30 PM
May 10 , Wednesday – Chennai – 7:30 PM
SRH vs MI:
March 27, Wednesday – Hyderabad – 7:30 PM
May 6, Monday – Mumbai – 7:30 PM
RR vs DC:
March 28, Thursday – Jaipur – 7:30 PM
May 7, Tuesday – Delhi – 7:30 PM
RCB vs KKR:
March 29, Friday – Bengaluru – 7:30 PM
April 21, Sunday – Kolkata – 3:30 PM
LSG vs PBKS:
March 30, Saturday – Lucknow – 7:30 PM
April 27, Saturday – Lucknow – 7:30 PM
DC vs KKR:
April 3, Wednesday – Vizag – 7:30 PM
April 29, Monday – Kolkata – 7:30 PM
GT vs PBKS:
April 4, Thursday – Ahmedabad – 7:30 PM
April 18, Thursday – Mohali – 7:30 PM
MI vs DC:
April 7, Sunday – Mumbai – 3:30 PM
April 27, Saturday – Delhi – 3:30 PM
LSG vs DC:
April 12, Friday – Lucknow – 7:30 PM
May 14, Tuesday – Delhi – 7:30 PM
PBKS vs RR:
April 13, Saturday – Mohali – 7:30 PM
May 15, Wednesday – Guwahati – 7:30 PM
KKR vs LSG:
April 14, Sunday – Kolkata – 3:30 PM
May 5, Sunday – Lucknow – 7:30 PM
RCB vs SRH:
April 15, Monday – Bengaluru – 7:30 PM
April 25, Thursday – Hyderabad – 7:30 PM
GT vs DC:
April 17, Wednesday – Ahmedabad – 7:30 PM
April 24, Wednesday – Delhi – 7:30 PM
RR vs MI:
April 22, Monday – Jaipur – 7:30 PM
May 1, Wednesday – Mumbai – 7:30 PM
LSG vs RR:
April 27, Saturday – Lucknow – 7:30 PM
March 24, Sunday – Jaipur – 3:30 PM
CSK vs SRH:
April 28, Sunday – Chennai – 7:30 PM
April 5, Friday – Hyderabad – 7:30 PM
LSG vs MI:
April 30, Tuesday – Lucknow – 7:30 PM
May 17, Friday – Mumbai – 7:30 PM
PBKS vs RCB:
May 9, Thursday – Dharamshala – 7:30 PM
March 25, Monday – Bengaluru – 7:30 PM
GT vs CSK:
May 10, Friday – Ahmedabad – 7:30 PM
March 26, Tuesday – Chennai – 7:30 PM
KKR vs MI:
May 11, Saturday – Kolkata – 7:30 PM
May 3, Wednesday – Mumbai – 7:30 PM
SRH vs GT:
May 16, Thursday – Hyderabad – 7:30 PM
March 31, Sunday – Ahmedabad – 3:30 PM
RR vs KKR:
May 19, Sunday – Guwahati – 7:30 PM
April 16, Tuesday – Kolkata – 7:30 PM
Also READ: IPL 2024 – Meet the wives and girlfriends of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) players
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