The BCCI and the IPL governing council are expressing concerns about the IPL 2024 season schedule for next year. There’s a slight chance that the latter part of the season might take place outside India, owing to the upcoming 2024 general elections.
Next year, as India heads to the polls for the 18th Lok Sabha elections, there’s a looming possibility of the dates coinciding with the 17th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). To iron out the scheduling conflicts, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is holding off on finalizing the IPL schedule until the Election Commission of India announces the polling dates. In all likelihood, both events will unfold concurrently in the months of April and May 2024.
In a recent development, the IPL Governing Council, along with franchise representatives and BCCI officials, convened in New Delhi to deliberate on the upcoming season’s schedule. Post the meeting, the decision was made to defer finalizing the IPL schedule until the Election Commission of India pins down the election dates. Tentatively, the tournament is expected to kick off in the last week of March, with the initial phase of voting for the elections potentially happening in the first week of April.
A senior official informed the press after the meeting and said, “We had discussions around the IPL schedule and we have no option but to wait for a word from the Home Ministry and Election Commission of India on the polling schedule for General Elections, which is likely to be around the IPL’s time.”
There’s a slim chance that the BCCI and the IPL council might eventually opt to relocate the second half of IPL 2024 outside India. If this materializes, the UAE seems to be the most likely venue for the BCCI due to the absence of rain threats, unlike Sri Lanka, and the timing aligning well with the Indian audience.
Also Read: Gujarat Titans Announced Their New Captain For IPL 2024
The uncertainty regarding the IPL 2024 venue poses a concern for franchise owners and management, especially with the mini-auction slated for December 19. Clarity on the venues is crucial for IPL teams to formulate their strategies and plans for the upcoming mini-auction. In the event of a shift to the UAE, teams might consider reinforcing their pace attack over spinners, as the latter is more effective in Indian conditions than in the UAE.
Comments 1