The 17th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 is tentatively scheduled to take place from March 22 to May 26 after the conclusion of Women's Premier League (WPL), which is expected to be be played from from February 22 to March 17. However, IPL 2024's final schedule heavily relies on the dates of the General Election in India, with the BCCI aiming to host the league entirely within the country.
If the proposed schedule from March 22 to May 26 is approved, it would leave the Indian cricket team with a mere five days to regroup and prepare for the T20 World Cup in the US and the Caribbean, which starts on June 2.
Meanwhile, in a exclusive interview with Sports Tak, IPL chairman Arun Dhumal revealed that the glitzy league's schedule will be released in phases.
“We are working on the schedule soon will announce first leg schedule and later the rest of the dates we are in touch with government already we had talks and will again have one soon.”
“Since elections schedule will come later but we have to start initial matches so some matches will be announced soon. Once the election schedule is up will accommodate matches accordingly. If you ask me can tell you tentative dates which is 22nd March and final around 26th May,” Dhumal further told Sports Tak.
Notably, the IPL coincided with the Lok Sabha elections in both 2009 and 2014. In 2009, the IPL took place entirely in South Africa, while in 2014, part of the tournament was initially conducted in the UAE before moving back to India. This time, however, the BCCI is optimistic about hosting the entire tournament in India.
MORE ON SPORTS TAK:
'It’s a frustrating situation to...': Devastated Ben Stokes reacts after Shoaib Bashir's visa delay ahead of 1st Test vs India
Big blow to Ben Stokes' England, Pakistan-origin spinner ruled out of first Test vs India due to visa issues, flies back to UK