With just over two months left until the commencement of the Indian Premier League (IPL) season, anticipation is building among fans who eagerly await the opportunity to mark their calendars. The IPL 2024 is scheduled to kick off on March 22, as declared by Jay Shah, the Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), during the auctions in December.
In a departure from previous years, the IPL schedule is contingent upon the dates of the general elections in India, which may influence the timing of the mega-tournament. As the nation gears up for another electoral race for power, India is poised to hold polls. The Election Commission of India is likely to announce election plans in the first or second week of February, ultimately determining the fate of the tournament’s schedule.
“There is nothing like that, to shift the tournament outside the country, as the general election will also be at the same time. If any state doesn’t want to host the match at that time, with any justified reason, the match could be shifted to another venue,” a BCCI source said as reported by ANI.
Follow Us:
During the 2009 general elections, the IPL 2009 tournament unfolded in South Africa. In 2014, the competition was initiated in the UAE, featuring the first 20 matches played there. Nevertheless, the subsequent matches were relocated to India post the elections.
In 2019, despite the concurrent elections, the entire tournament was successfully conducted in the subcontinent. Once again, the BCCI is contemplating adopting a similar strategy for the upcoming edition.
Furthermore, the BCCI is considering concluding the IPL 2024 ahead of its traditional May conclusion, aligning with the commencement of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 scheduled for June 1.
It is probable that the schedule for IPL 2024 might be unveiled in the second or third week of February. According to reliable sources, the IPL commission intends to release the schedule on Monday (Feb 12) if the election dates for different states are disclosed.