Mumbai, Dec 21 (IANS): Defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders will start their 2013 campaign against Delhi Daredevils in the inaugural match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata, April 3.

The sixth edition of the IPL will also witness the debut of Sunrisers Hyderabad, previously known as Deccan Chargers. Sunrisers will take on Pune Warriors at home in their first match, April 5.

The tournament will be played in the same format as the 2012 edition.

Each of the nine participating teams will play the other eight twice, at home and away. The top four teams, at the end of the round-robin stage May 19, 2013, will qualify for the play-offs.

The qualifier 1 and eliminator games will be played at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai - the home ground of Chennai Super Kings - May 21 and 22.

The qualifier 2 and the final will be played at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata - May 24 and and 26.

The tournament will be played at 11 venues - nine home venues, Dharmasala and Ranchi. The last two 'home' games of the Kings XI Punjab will be played at the HPCA Stadium, Dharamsala. The Jharkhand State Cricket Association International Stadium Complex at Ranchi, will host the last two 'home' games of the Kolkata Knight Riders.

"The countdown to PEPSI IPL 2013 has begun. We are poised to witness a competition that will be as, if not more, spectacular, than its predecessors," said IPL chairman Rajeev Shukla.