As you eagerly await the start of the Indian Premier League's 2024 season, the IPL 2024 first match promises excitement right from the start. The tournament kicks off on Friday, March 22nd, with a blockbuster clash between two iconic franchises, the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). This opening match, scheduled for 8:00 PM IST at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, promises to be a thrilling start to the competition.

The IPL has released a partial schedule, including the first set of 21 matches from March 22 to April 7. The IPL final is set for May 26, with only five days between that and the opening match of the men's T20 World Cup, scheduled for June 1 in the USA and the Caribbean.

The second half of the tournament schedule will be announced once the Election Commission of India reveals the dates for the national elections, expected to be held in April and May.

The opening match of the tournament will begin at 8 pm IST, while the rest will follow the usual routine: 7:30 pm IST for evening games and, on days with double-headers, 3:30 pm IST for the early game.

The Rivalry in the IPL 2024 First Match

The IPL is famous for its passionate fans and intense rivalries. The IPL 2024 first match is the clash between CSK and RCB. It is one of the most anticipated matchups in the league. Both teams have a strong history and dedicated supporters, making their matches thrilling spectacles.

Chennai Super Kings

Led by the legendary MS Dhoni, CSK are the defending champions. They have clinched their fourth IPL title in 2023. The CSK are known for their experienced squad, their strategic gameplay, and their ability to perform under pressure. The "Yellow Army," as their fans are called, will be looking to start their title defense on a winning note in front of their home crowd.

Royal Challengers Bangalore

RCB, under the leadership of Faf du Plessis, will be aiming to break their IPL title drought. They have consistently reached the playoffs but haven't been able to cross the final hurdle. RCB possesses a power-packed batting lineup featuring the likes of Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell, and Dinesh Karthik. Their bowling attack, spearheaded by Mohammed Siraj and Yuzvendra Chahal, is also a force to be reckoned with.

IPL 2024 First Match Key Players

With so much at stake, both teams will be banking on their star players to deliver on the big stage. Here are some of the key players to watch out for in the IPL 2024 first match:

Chennai Super Kings

MS Dhoni (Captain):

The veteran wicket-keeper batsman is known for his calm leadership and his ability to finish matches in style.

Ruturaj Gaikwad:

The young opener has been in excellent form in recent times and will be looking to continue his good run.

Dwayne Bravo:

The all-rounder is a proven match-winner with his experience and skills in both batting and bowling.

Royal Challengers Bangalore

Faf du Plessis (Captain):

The South African batsman brings a wealth of experience and leadership qualities to the RCB camp.

Virat Kohli:

The former Indian captain remains a formidable force and will be looking to score big against his old rivals.

Wanindu Hasaranga:

The Sri Lankan leg-spinner is a wicket-taking machine and will be crucial for RCB's bowling attack.

IPL 2024 Teams and Captains

Chennai Super Kings

Chennai Super Kings, under the leadership of MS Dhoni, enter the IPL 2024 as defending champions with an impressive record of four titles. Renowned for their robust batting lineup and death bowling specialists, key players like Ruturaj Gaikwad, Devon Conway, Moeen Ali, and Shivam Dube make CSK a team to watch.

Gujarat Titans

Gujarat Titans, led by Shubman Gill, aim to build on their IPL 2023 runner-up status. With a formidable batting lineup featuring Gill, David Miller, and Rahul Tewatia, the Titans strengthen their squad with bowlers like Mohammed Shami, Alzarri Joseph, and Rashid Khan, aspiring to clinch their maiden IPL title this season.

Royal Challengers Bangalore

Royal Challengers Bangalore is under the leadership of Faf du Plessis. The team will head into the IPL 2024 first match with their reputation as perennial underachievers. With a strong batting lineup featuring Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell, and Dinesh Karthik, RCB's success hinges on their bowlers stepping up to overcome past challenges.

Kolkata Knight Riders

Kolkata Knight Riders led by Shreyas Iyer enter the tournament as two-time champions with a reputation for nurturing young Indian talents. KKR features a balanced squad. With players like Andre Russell, Varun Chakravarthy, and Mitchell Starc, the team aims to make the most of their potential for a strong season.

Sunrisers Hyderabad

Sunrisers Hyderabad, captained by Aiden Markram, secured their maiden IPL title in 2016. Relying heavily on bowlers such as Bhuvneshwar Kumar, T Natarajan, to restrict opponents, SRH faces concerns about their relatively weak middle order. The responsibility lies on Marco Jansen, and Heinrich Klassen to anchor the batting lineup for SRH in the upcoming season.

Mumbai Indians

The Mumbai Indians are under the leadership of Hardik Pandya in the upcoming season. They present a formidable lineup with key players including Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, and Ishan Kishan. With Pandya at the helm, the team aims to leverage the strengths of these impactful players, making them a formidable force in the IPL 2024.

Lucknow Super Giants

KL Rahul leads the Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2024, with key players Quinton de Kock and Nicholas Pooran. The team, under Rahul's captaincy, is ready to bring a formidable presence to the tournament.

Punjab Kings

Shikar Dhawan steps up as the captain for the Punjab Kings in the upcoming season. The Punjab Kings have a strong lineup, with Jonny Bairstow and Sam Curran as notable players to watch. With Shikar Dhawan leading the team and these key players making dynamic contributions, the Kings are aiming to make a big impact in the IPL 2024 tournament.

Delhi Capitals

Led by Rishabh Pant, the Delhi Capitals enter the IPL 2024 season with a strong lineup. The team features key players like Tristan Stubbs, Axar Patel, and Ishant Sharma. Under Pant's leadership, the team aims to leverage the skills and contributions of these players. The team is looking for a successful campaign in the upcoming tournament. With a well-rounded squad, the Delhi Capitals are set to be strong contenders in the competition. Moreover, fans can anticipate exciting performances from these standout players.

Rajasthan Royals

Sanju Samson leads the charge for the Rajasthan Royals in the upcoming season. The team boasts a star-studded lineup with players like Jos Buttler, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ravichandran Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Trent Boult. Under Samson's leadership, the Royals aim to bring together the diverse skills of these players, creating a dynamic squad ready for success in IPL 2024.

IPL 2024 schedule (First 21 matches)

March IPL 2024 Schedule

April IPL 2024 Schedule

Beyond the IPL 2024 First Match

The IPL 2024 first match will mark MS Dhoni's return to action. He will be arriving in Chennai during the first week of March to resume training with his team. The tournament will see Hardik Pandya return to the Mumbai Indians, now as their captain. This follows his successful two seasons with the Titans, where he led them to a title win in their debut year. Rishabh Pant is also expected to make a comeback to competitive cricket after his serious car accident in December 2022.

The IPL 2024 first match between CSK and RCB is just the beginning of what promises to be a thrilling IPL season. With ten teams vying for the coveted trophy, the competition is expected to be intense throughout.

Ipl 2024 First Match: Csk to Host Rcb in the Opening Match