The Indian Premier League (IPL) governing council has firmed up March 22, 2024 as the prospective start date for the tournament’s upcoming 17th season. IPL chairman Arun Dhumal clarified that the entire event will be staged in India itself despite a potential clash with the Lok Sabha elections next year.
Initially only an opening two-week schedule may be announced by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), with match dates post that dependent on the election roster to avoid logistical chaos across venues. The tentative final is marked for May 26th factoring the ICC T20 World Cup.
Strategic Schedule Rollout Likely
India’s general elections are expected to last six weeks in April-May spanning seven phases of voting, released IPL fixtures could see revisions to sidestep issues with security and resource allocation in individual states/cities holding matches and polls simultaneously.
“We are working closely with all government agencies and will first release the initial schedule, tweaking it later around the elections,” IPL chairman Dhumal revealed, hinting at a strategic rollout.
CSK to Face GT in opener
As is tournament tradition, 2023 runners up Gujarat Titans will confront defending champions Chennai Super Kings in the 2024 opening face-off. Auction topper Mitchell Starc may potentially make his much-anticipated IPL debut against MS Dhoni’s CSK.
With India playing their first 2024 T20 World Cup match on June 5th, BCCI also needs factoring adequate team preparatory camps before heading overseas. Hence curtains on IPL 2024 dropdown by May fourth week.
