IPL 2019: BCCI releases complete schedule for group stages which end on May 5

The schedule has been released in parts by the BCCI owing to the General Elections which will he held around the same time.

The full schedule of the group stage matches in the upcoming IPL 2019 has been announced by the BCCI. As per the schedule, all the eight teams will be playing seven home matches at their respective home venues.

File image of MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli(PTI)

Defending champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will take on Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in Chennai in the IPL opener, which will begin on March 23. The schedule has been released in parts by the BCCI owing to the General Elections which will he held around the same time. The final group match will be played between Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders.

A senior Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) official had earlier confirmed to Hindustan Times that the complete schedule for the 2019 edition of the IPL cannot be released together keeping the upcoming general election in mind.

 

With the whole tournament set to be played in India, it is important that matches are scheduled in accordance to the dates of election which will be held in multiple phases.

Speaking to Hindustan Times, a senior board official said that it was impossible to release the complete schedule of the tournament before the dates of the general election are out as matches need to be planned keeping the dates in mind as elections are held in different phases.

Last year’s winners Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will take on Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in Chennai in the opener.