Mumbai, Feb 11 (IANS): Kolkata Knight Riders will begin their Indian Premier League title defence against Mumbai Indians at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata April 8, the Twenty20 (T20) tournament officials announced Wednesday.

"Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), IPL 2014 winners, will commence their defence of the title on home turf April 8. The opening encounter of the IPL 2015 will see them play Mumbai Indians, winners of the 2013 season, April 8," Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Sanjay Patel said in a statement.

"A total of 60 matches (including the four playoffs) will be played over a period of 47 days, in the eighth season of the tournament that has captured the imagination of cricket lovers across the world."

Patel also said that Kings XI Punjab will play three of their home matches at the Maharashtra Cricket Association International Stadium in Pune.

"The MCA International Stadium at Pune will host three home games of Kings XI Punjab, whilst the YSR ACA-VDCA Stadium at Visakhapatnam will host three home games of Sunrisers Hyderabad," Patel said.

"After a hiatus in 2014, the Shahid Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium at Raipur will once again stage two home games of Delhi Daredevils. Rajasthan Royals will play their home games at the Sardar Patel Gujarat Stadium in Motera, Ahmedabad, and at another venue that will be confirmed shortly."

The final of the competition will be played at the Eden Gardens.