IPL 2024

IPL 2024 is picking up pace and the matches are getting intense, with the race for the playoff spots hotting up. From here on the going gets tough and the teams would look to bag the crucial points as they move from the mid-end to the business end of the tournament. The top four spots in the IPL 2024 points table is occupied by Rajasthan Royals, Kolkata Knight Riders, Chennai Super Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad as Royal Challengers Bangalore and Delhi Capitals are languishing at the bottom. At this stage of the tournament, it would be difficult for RCB and DC to soar up their chances.

However, Mumbai Indians, who had a bad start to IPL 2024 under Hardik Pandya's captaincy, seems to have found their mojo with two wins under their belt although the defeat to CSK could prove detrimental eventually. Rajasthan, Kolkata and Chennai have the early advantage on their side and the look of it says that they may finish in top-three at the end of the league stage.

Virat Kohli of Royal Challengers Bengaluru is leading the race for the Orange Cap, followed by Riyan Parag and Sanju Samson of Rajasthan Royals. After scoring a century against Chennai Super Kings on April 14, Rohit Sharma of Mumbai Indians has moved into the top-five of leading scorers in IPL 2024. Kohli, Rohit and Jos Buttler of Rajasthan Royals have scored centuries in this edition of IPL so far.

The fight for the Purple Cap has rather been interesting this season. Jasprit Bumrah after his dream spell of 5 for 21, shot up in the rankings to be placed at No. 2 and leading the table is Yuzvendra Chahal of Rajasthan Royals. Mustafizur Rahman, Kagiso Rabada and Khaleel Ahmed are also top contenders.

IPL 2024 kicked off on March 22, with Chennai Super Kings taking on Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the opener at MA Chidambaram Stadium. An initial schedule of IPL 2024 from March 22 to April 7 was announced on February 22, as the BCCI were waiting for the Election Commission of India to announce dates for the general elections, which would now be held in seven phases from April 19 to June 1. It was speculated that the later part of the tournament may move out of India because of the general elections in the country. However, BCCI, on March 25 confirmed that all the 74 matches will be played in India.

The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad will host the first qualifier and the eliminator on May 21 and May 22 respectively. The MA Chidambaram stadium in Chennai will host the second qualifier on May 24, followed by the final on May 26. The last league game of IPL 2024 will be played in Guwahati on May 19, between Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders.

IPL 2024: total matches, teams

The 17th edition of IPL will have 74 matches in total with 10 teams taking part and they are Chennai Super Kings, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals, Kolkata Knight Riders, Gujarat Titans, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Delhi Capitals, Lucknow Super Giants and Punjab Kings.

IPL 2024 format

The 10 teams have been divided into two groups, with each team playing 14 games in the league stage. The top two teams in the points table clash in qualifier 1, while the third and fourth placed teams play the eliminator. The winner of the eliminator plays against the loser of the first qualifier in qualifier 2. The winners of qualifier 1 and 2, lock horns in the final.

IPL 2024 match timings

Most of the fixtures in IPL 2024 are evening games starting at 7:30 pm, while on double-header days, the first match starts at 3:30 pm.