Eden Gardens will host only one match in the initial set of 21 matches released for IPL 2024 on Thursday.

Kolkata Knight Riders will take on Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 23 in their opener at home in the first double header of the tournament.
It will also be a contest between two Australian fast bowling greats: Mitchell Starc, whom KKR bought for a record Rs 24.75 crore, will be pitted against his captain Pat Cummins.

This will be preceded by an afternoon contest between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals in Mohali.

A day earlier, on March 22, defending champions Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings will host Royal Challengers Bangalore, which includes Virat Kohli, at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in the opening match of IPL 2024.

The match is expected to mark a return of sorts for Virat, who missed the home Test series against England because of “personal reasons”.

Virat and wife Anushka Sharma recently announced the birth of their son, Akaay.

The opener will start at 8pm while the remaining matches will follow the usual routine: 7.30pm for evening games, and on double-header days, the afternoon match at 3.30pm.

There are four double-headers in the initial schedule, including two on the opening weekend.

This season will see Hardik Pandya’s return to Mumbai Indians — this time as captain — following two editions at Gujarat Titans. The two teams will clash with each other in Ahmedabad on March 24 in what will be the opening fixture for the two franchises.

The first phase will not have any matches in Delhi with the Delhi Capitals playing their two home games in Visakhapatnam. This is because the second half of the WPL, including the Eliminator and the final, will take place at the Kotla and the authorities wish to provide some respite to the wicket.

Delhi Capitals will play CSK on March 31 in the port city and then face KKR at the same venue on April 3.

Rishabh Pant is expected to return to competitive cricket from the outset and is likely to lead Delhi Capitals. He though will play solely as a batter.

The final is expected on May 26, just five days ahead of the opening match of the T20 World Cup in the US and the Caribbean from June 1. The complete schedule is expected once the Election Commission announces the dates for the general elections.

“As in the past, the BCCI will work closely with government and security agencies, following all necessary protocols and advisories related to the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections in India,” the IPL media release said.

“Once the dates for the 18th Lok Sabha elections are announced, the Board will review and address any issues pertaining to the schedule of the first two weeks.”