Chennai to host IPL 2024 final, Ahmedabad to host one qualifier, eliminator
MS Dhoni gets an opportunity to play his last IPL game in Chennai, should CSK reach the play-offs
image for illustrative purpose
Chennai’s MA Chidambaram Stadium will host the final of the 17th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Apart from hosting the final on May 26, MA Chidambaram Stadium will also host the second qualifier on May 24. This is the third time Chennai will be hosting the IPL final, after 2011 and 2012.
The first qualifier (May 21) and the eliminator (May 22) will be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
The IPL caravan will also move to Visakhapatnam, Dharamsala and Guwahati this year. The venues are the secondary home grounds of the Delhi Capitals, Punjab Kings and Rajasthan Royals, respectively and each venue will host two matches of the franchise.
The allocation of the final to Chennai doesn’t come as a surprise, as the league has been following the tradition of hosting the first match and the final at the home of the previous season’s defending champions. Keeping up with the tradition, Chennai opened the IPL 2024 when Chennai Super Kings (CSK) took on Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). CSK triumphed by six wickets.
Meanwhile, sources have also said that the draft of the remaining schedule has been finalised. The IPL governing council released a two-week schedule, keeping in mind the nation’s election dates. Now that the polling dates have been finalised, the governing council has finalised a schedule, keeping in mind the polling dates and the logistics surrounding it.
While talisman Mahendra Singh Dhoni is fast approaching the twilight of his career, the iconic former skipper now has a chance to play his last game at a venue and the city he adores the most. Ahead of the start of the IPL 2024, Dhoni relinquished captaincy and handed over the reins to young batter Ruturaj Gaikwad. The move followed a cryptic social media post by Dhoni, where he suggested he was looking forward to playing a 'new role.'
Dhoni’s love affair with Chennai, the fans, and the MA Chidambaram Stadium is no secret, and should CSK make the play-offs, Dhoni will get a chance to play for one last time in front of his adopted city.
*The complete IPL schedule can be found here.
