IPL 2020: MI to host CSK in season’s opener, no Saturday double-headers

Mumbai: The full schedule of the group stage of the 13th edition of Indian Premier League (IPL) is out, with defending champions Mumbai Indians taking on Chennai Super Kings in the season’s opener at the Wankhede Stadium on March 29.

According to an ESPNcricinfo report, IPL has done away with the Saturday double-headers, thereby adding another week to the league phase for the 2020 season. This means that the 13th edition of IPL will stretch across 50 days, as compared to 44 last year.

There will be only three matches on weekends, with double-headers now limited only to Sundays.

The last match of the league phase is scheduled to be played between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Mumbai Indians at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on May 17.

IPL will release the schedule for the knockouts later, but the final is scheduled for May 24.

Barring Rajasthan Royals, who have listed out Guwahati as their probable second home venue, the other seven franchises have stuck to their traditional venues for home games.

Despite the Lodha committee recommendation of a fortnight’s break between India’s last international game and the IPL curtain-raiser, IPL 2020 starts only 11 days after the conclusion of the three-match ODI series against South Africa in Kolkata on March 18. (UNI)