Major Change in IPL 2024 Schedule
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has a limited time frame to conduct the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 due to the upcoming T20 World Cup slated for June 4. Furthermore, the Lok Sabha Elections in India further complicate the situation. Consequently, the IPL 2024 is likely to start on March 22 and end on May 19.
Timing Conflicts
The last season of IPL began on March 31 and ended on May 29, but the BCCI will not be able to extend the window as two important events are scheduled. As per the International Cricket Council (ICC) regulations, a break of at least two weeks must be observed, meaning the final match of IPL 2024 will have to be concluded on May 19. The previous edition of IPL had a 58-day window.
Alternate Scheduling
The ICC has allowed BCCI to reschedule the IPL to another window. After the India vs England Test series ends on March 11, the players will have a break until April 4. This will provide the BCCI with a window to conduct the IPL 2024.
Conclusion
The upcoming India General Elections in May will force the BCCI to move the IPL matches outside of India, thus reducing the window of the IPL 2024. The ICC’s allowance of alternate scheduling provides BCCI with the opportunity to conduct the IPL 2024 in the March-May window, with the final match ending on May 19.