The 17th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is eagerly awaited by numerous fans, but it faces the challenge of being held concurrently with the general elections in India. Despite the absence of confirmed dates, IPL chairman Arun Dhumal has provided insights into the tentative commencement of the tournament.
Dhumal indicated that the cash-rich league is expected to kick off towards the end of March, with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) coordinating closely with the Indian government to finalize the fixtures. Emphasizing the league’s commitment to holding the event within India, Dhumal affirmed that arrangements will be made to align IPL matches with the election schedule, ensuring seamless conduct.
“We will work with the Indian government, agencies to make sure that the league takes place in India. We are waiting for the schedule of the general election to be announced and then we will plan accordingly,” Dhumal stated, according to news agency IANS.
The upcoming IPL, as reported by Cricbuzz last month, is speculated to commence on March 22 and extend until May 26. However, the final schedule will be confirmed following the announcement of the general election dates. Notably, the IPL will be strategically positioned between the Women’s Premier League and the T20 World Cup 2024.
This year marks the fourth instance when the IPL coincides with a Lok Sabha election year, with previous occurrences in 2009, 2014, and 2019. While the tournament was relocated outside India in 2009 and 2014, it was successfully conducted within the country in 2019.
