The VIVO IPL 2019 is set to begin from 23rd March 2019. To avoid clash with the Lok Sabha elections, the schedule for only the first 17 matches has been released so far. Board of Cricket Control of India (BCCI) is expected to put out the complete schedule soon in consultation with the election officials.
In what appears to have been a major gaffe, the full schedule was put up on the official IPL website, iplt20.com and taken down immediately after. It is not known whether the schedule put up was the final version or not. As per this schedule, the tournament would consist of 60 matches with the final being played on May 12, 2019.
The first schedule for the IPL was released by the BCCI earlier in the month which made and according to the that the first phase will see 17 matches beginning from 23rd March to 5th April.
The first match will take place between RCB and CSK with Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni leading their respective sides. Virat Kohli has never led RCB to an IPL title and he will be hoping to start the tournament with a victory. Fans all around the world are waiting for the tournament to begin as they will be supporting their favorite teams to win it for them.
The 2014 edition of the IPL was shifted to UAE during the Lok Sabha elections whereas in the 2009 edition the tournament was played in South Africa. It will be interesting to see how the board manages to organise and schedule matches in India itself this season.
