The 15th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is all set to commence on March 26 this year in Mumbai, Maharashtra. The cash-rich tournament, consisting of 74 matches in total, will end on May 29.

The announcement was made by IPL chairman Brijesh Patel on Thursday following the governing council meeting. He also stated that only 40 percent crowd will be allowed in the Mumbai stadiums during the initial stages of the tournament. Of the 74 matches, 70 will reportedly be held at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium and Brabourne Stadium along with Navi Mumbai’s DY Patil ground and Gahunje Stadium in Pune. “Spectators will be allowed as per guidelines set by the Maharashtra government and to start with, it will be 40 percent. If the COVID situation remains under control and cases decline, it might be full house at the business end,” an IPL source was quoted as saying by a news agency.

“Each team will play the same number of games at each of the stadiums. Mumbai Indians will play four games at Wankhede Stadium. We are having as many as 12 double headers and it was decided that Saturday start (March 26) allows us to host a double header on Sunday,” the source reportedly further added. Two new franchises, Lucknow Supergiants and Gujarat Titans, will be part of the league starting this year.