New Delhi, 06 May (H.S.):

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced the schedule for the Tata Indian Premier League (IPL) playoff matches. Following the thrilling league stage, the tournament has now entered its decisive phase. Qualifier matches will be played in Dharamshala and Chandigarh.

After the 70-match league stage, the top four teams will advance to the playoffs. The first Qualifier will be held on May 26 at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala, featuring a clash between the top two teams from the points table. The winner of this match will go straight to the final. The Eliminator will follow on May 27 at the new international cricket stadium in New Chandigarh, pitting the third and fourth-placed teams against each other. The second Qualifier will take place on the same venue on May 29, where the loser of the first Qualifier will face the Eliminator winner for a spot in the final.

The tournament final will be played on May 31 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, the world's largest cricket stadium. This season, the playoff matches will be held at three different venues due to special circumstances. The final was originally scheduled for Bengaluru but has been shifted to Ahmedabad due to local administration and other reasons.

Playoff Schedule

Qualifier 1 – May 26 – Dharamshala

Eliminator – May 27 – New Chandigarh

Qualifier 2 – May 29 – New Chandigarh

Final – May 31 – Ahmedabad

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar