IPL 2022 to start on March 26 as expanded schedule is unveiled

Seventy-four matches over 65 days at four different venues will be accommodated by 12 double-headers, with each side playing 14 group matches. The final is set for May 29

Defending champions Chennai Super Kings will kick-start the biggest-ever Indian Premier League season against Kolkata Knight Riders after the schedule for the 2022 campaign was unveiled by tournament organisers.

The addition of two new franchises means the calendar has swelled to 74 matches, including the playoffs, taking place over 65 days. It is the biggest competition since the 2012 and 2013 editions which had 76 games.

Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium & DY Patil Stadium, and Brabourne and MCA International Stadium in Pune are the host venues, as previously announced.

Twenty matches each will take place at the Mumbai grounds, with the Pune stadiums to play host to 15 games, respectively.

The final, pencilled in for May 29, is set to be staged at the 33,000-capacity Wankhede Stadium, the second time it has hosted the showcase.

The tournament is being played in a single hub to avoid significant travel and nullify the impact of Covid-19. Ground capacities are set to be capped at 50 per cent.

Each of the 10 teams will play 14 group matches, with the top four progressing to the knock-out phase. They have been split into two groups based on historic performances but will be ranked in a single table.

^{Wankhede Stadium will host the IPL final for the second time (Graham Crouch/Getty Images)}

Twelve double-headers will help accommodate the enlarged competition, with start times of 3:30PM IST (11am BST) and 7:30PM IST (3pm BST).

Sunrisers Hyderabad and Punjab Kings on May 22 will round-of the group stage. The dates and venues for the playoffs will be confirmed at a later date.

Fittingly, the two new sides Gujarat Titans and Lucknow Super Giants will open their IPL accounts against each other.

The opening round of games also sees a repeat of the 2020 final, with Delhi Capitals facing Mumbai Indians.

Elsewhere, Kings take on Royal Challengers Bangalore and Sunrisers will play Rajasthan Royals.

The proposed date of the final is just four days before the start of the England v New Zealand Test series, which is likely to impact on the availability of a handful of players.

Devon Conway, Mitchell Santner, Lockie Ferguson, Sam Billings, Tim Southee, Mark Wood, Jonny Bairstow, Trent Boult, Daryl Mitchell and Kane Williamson could be among those impacted.