News Sports Cricket IPL 2018 to begin on April 7 in Mumbai; gala opening ceremony on April 6

IPL 2018 to begin on April 7 in Mumbai; gala opening ceremony on April 6

The iconic Wankhede stadium in Mumbai will host the opening match and the final of the cash-rich T20 tournament.

IPL 2018 Image Source : PTIA file image of Indian Premier League trophy

The 11th edition of the lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL) will be held from April 7 to May 27, the IPL governing council said on Monday. Mumbai will host the opening match and the final of the cash-rich T20 tournament. The IPL governing council also decided to shift the start of the matches, which were scheduled to begin at 8 pm and 4 pm earlier.

"The Broadcasters requested for a change in timings and IPL governing council in principal has accepted it," IPL chairman Rajeev Shukla said.

"Live broadcast of the 8pm game will be shifted to 7 pm, while 4 pm will be played at 5:30 pm," he added.

Kings XI Punjab will play four of their home games in Mohali and three in Indore, while the home matches of Rajasthan Royals, who are returning to IPL after serving a two-year ban, will be decided after the Rajasthan High court's hearing on January 24.

A total of 578 players including 360 Indians will go under the hammer in this year's IPL auction at Bangalore on January 27 and 28.

(With PTI Inputs)