The eagerly awaited Indian Premier League is scheduled to start on March 22 and will take place entirely within the country, as confirmed by IPL chairman Arun Singh Dhumal. Despite the parallel general elections scheduled for April and May, the decision was made to hold the IPL within India.
In his conversations with media Dhumal stated that initially, only the schedule for the first 10 days will be disclosed, with plans to finalize the remaining matches after the announcement of the general election dates.
He mentioned that the Lok Sabha polls’ dates are anticipated to be revealed early next month. Dhumal shared their aim for a March 22 start of the tournament, emphasizing their collaboration with government agencies and the decision to host the entire event in India.
This isn’t the first instance where the IPL coincides with general elections. In 2009, the second season of the IPL was relocated to South Africa, and in 2014, the initial 20 matches were held in the UAE before the remainder of the season took place in India.
However in 2019, the entire tournament took place in India despite the general elections. This time around, the Board is in regular communication with all authorities to ensure that the tournament remains within the country,” a source from one of the IPL franchises stated, adding, “Clarity will come once the Election Commission of India announces the polling dates.”
Considering the limited time available, several franchises have chosen to start their preparatory camps later this week. Following the conclusion of India’s Test series against England on March 11, players involved in the series will have slightly more than a week of rest before the IPL starts.
Kasi Viswanathan, CEO of the Chennai Super Kings, informed that the opening ceremony will be held before the game. Chennai, as defending champions, has been granted this privilege.
They clinched victory against the Gujarat Titans in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium. Traditionally, the opening match features the previous season’s finalists, hinting at a showdown between CSK and GT. However, both the IPL chairman Arun Singh Dhumal and CSK’s CEO declined to confirm this tradition.
The BCCI will announce the initial phase of the schedule for the upcoming Indian Premier League season on February 22, 2024 at 5pm. Viewers can watch the announcement live on the JioCinema app and the Star Sports network.
The 17th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to bring more excitement and fun for cricket fans. Teams will compete to sign the best players during the auctions, mixing experienced players with new talents. While the main format stays the same, there might be some small changes to keep things interesting.
Viewers can expect better TV coverage with new camera views and interactive features. Safety measures due to COVID-19 will still be in place to protect everyone involved. This season will also give young players a chance to shine alongside the pros. And fans can look forward to more ways to get involved through social media and online platforms.
Utpal is a journalist covering online and offline sports in India. He has passion for everything sports and is a regular at various sports events. Follow him to stay abreast of all things sports.