IPL 2019 schedule: Dhoni's CSK to take on Kohli's RCB in tournament opener

IPL 2019 will be off to an earlier-than-usual start owing to Lok Sabha elections, dates of which are yet to be announced. Any change in the provisional IPL 2019 schedule will be revised accordingly

While the weekends will have double-headers but the schedule doesn't clarify whether the BCCI will continue with the usual 4 pm (afternoon) and 8 pm (evening) format or there will be a change in timing.

"These are still subject to the announcement of the Lok Sabha 2019 election dates. Once these have been released, the BCCI will address any issues with the first two weeks and will also prepare a schedule for the remainder of the season working with the local authorities around the polling dates," read an official statement from the IPL.

On March 24, Kolkata Knight Riders will host Sunrisers Hyderabad in the afternoon encounter of a double header in which Mumbai Indians will take on Delhi Capitals in Mumbai.

Rajasthan Royals and Kings XI Punjab will meet each other in Jaipur to complete the first round of games.

A total of 17 matches will be played during this two-week phase across the 8 home venues of the respective franchises.

All teams will play a minimum of four games with Delhi Capitals and RCB competing in five matches each during this time. Every side will play a minimum of two home and two away matches except for Delhi and RCB. While Delhi will compete in three home games, RCB will play an equal number of away encounters.'

Here is the IPL 2019 schedule:

Date	Matches	Venue	Time
23-Mar	CSK vs RCB	Chennai	Evening
24-Mar	KKR vs SRH	Kolkata	Afternoon
	MI vs DC	Mumbai	Evening
25-Mar	RR vs KXIP	Jaipur	Evening
26-Mar	DC vs CSK	Delhi	Evening
27-Mar	KKR vs KXIP	Kolkata	Evening
28-Mar	RCB vs MI	Bengaluru	Evening
29-Mar	SRH vs RR	Hyderabad	Evening
30-Mar	KXIP vs MI	Mohali	Afternoon
	DC vs KKR	Delhi	Evening
31-Mar	SRH vs RCB	Hyderabad	Afternoon
	CSK vs RR	Chennai	Evening
1-Apr	KXIP vs DC	Mohali	Evening
2-Apr	RR vs RCB	Jaipur	Evening
3-Apr	MI vs CSK	Mumbai	Evening
4-Apr	DC vs SRH	Delhi	Evening
5-Apr	RCB vs KKR	Bengaluru	Evening