IPL 2023: Download Single Pic Confirmed Official Schedule
Gujarat Titans vs CSK to kick-start the IPL 2023 on March 31 as we look at the official schedule download for the tournament.
Just a couple of days since the BCCI announced the official schedule for the first edition of the Women’s Premier League, the BCCI on Friday announced the official schedule for the 16th edition of the Indian Premier League, the IPL 2023. The IPL 2023 officially kicks off on the last day of the financial year. March 31 with Gujarat Titans taking on CSK at Ahmedabad.
As of now, the BCCI has only revealed the schedule for Group stage matches. The Group stage matches of IPL 2023 start on March 31, 2023 and end on May 21, 2023. As we had seen in previous years, we should expect Qualifier 1 on May 23 and Eliminator on May 24. Whereas Qualifier 2 should be played on May 26, and the Grand finale on May 28, Sunday.
The whole tournament is planned in a way that the 70 group-stage matches conclude in 52 days. Whereas Play-offs shall take a total of 7 days to complete including the rest days. As per the leading cricket website, Betway, Royal Challengers Bangalore are one of the favourites to win IPL 2023 with odds at 1.5.
Meanwhile, a total of 18 double headers have been set for IPL 2023 including two weekday double headers and 16 weekend double headers. The Afternoon matches on double headers start at 3:30 pm. Whereas the evening matches start at 7:30 pm, irrespective of it being a double header.
IPL 2023 Groups:
A total of 70 group stage matches shall be played between 10 teams with 4 Play-off matches scheduled after that. Each team shall play a total of 14 Group stage matches. However, not every team will play the other 9 teams twice. So, as we had in 2022, the 10 teams are divided into two groups of 5 each.
Coming to the groups, Delhi Capitals, Kolkata Knight Riders, Lucknow Super Giants, Mumbai Indians, and Rajasthan Royals are placed in Group A. Whereas Chennai Super Kings, Gujarat Titans, Punjab Kings, Royal Challengers Bangalore, and Sunrisers Hyderabad are placed in Group B.
According to the group divisions, the respective teams from each group play each other twice; thus a total of 8 Intra-group matches per team. In addition, MI and CSK, KKR and SRH, RR and RCB, DC and PBKS & LSG and GT will play twice against each other. Rest, Group A members shall once against the remaining four teams of Group B once, and vice versa.
Venues:
The IPL 2023 shall see the return of Home and Away matches unlike the last three years, which had a different format. With a Home and Away format, each team shall play 7 home and 7 away matches at their designated locations. So, Chennai shall play 7 matches at Chepauk, their home ground at Chennai.
In terms of venues, there are 12 venues being fixed for IPL 2023. So, other than the 10 home locations for the respective teams, Guwahati and Dharamshala have been added as the additional two locations. Jaipur and Mohali have 5 matches to be played. Whereas the remaining two matches are scheduled at Guwahati and Dharamshala respectively.
To recap the IPL 2022 results, Gujarat Titans were the winners of IPL 2022 with Rajasthan Royals being the Runner-up. Royal Challengers Bangalore finished third and Lucknow Super Giants finished fourth. Meanwhile, the most successful teams CSK and MI finished in 9th and 10th position respectively.
The IPL 2023 saw a mini Auction being conducted at the end of December. With new players being added to the teams, no team starts as a favourite for IPL 2023. So, we should see an evenly matched contest between all 10 teams. Also, this is the first time since 2019 that we are seeing the return of the Home and Away format. Hence, the excitement is even higher.
Thanks for reading! Looking at the official schedule download, which match are you most excited for in IPL 2023? Please email your thoughts to business@cricalytics.com
ALSO READ: IPL 2023: Final Official Squad List for All 10 Teams Post Auction
Adesh Kothari is the founder of AK4Tsay1 Cricalytics with over 20 years of experience following Cricket.
Cricket to him is like what Football is to Lionel Messi, Singing is to Lata Mangeshkar, Dancing is to Michael Jackson, and Acting is to Clint Eastwood.
Besides his effervescent love for Cricket, Adesh is an MBA by qualification.
