Indian Premier League (IPL) Confirms March 22 Start, All Matches to be Held in India Despite General Elections
In a recent announcement, Arun Dhumal, the chairman of the Indian Premier League (IPL), confirmed that the much-awaited cricket tournament is set to kick off on March 22. Despite the impending general elections in April and May, all IPL matches will be held in India. The decision to conduct the entire tournament in the country reflects the league’s commitment to providing a thrilling cricket spectacle for fans.
The announcement comes with a strategic approach to the schedule release. Initially, only the fixtures for the first 15 days of the tournament will be disclosed. The remaining games’ schedule will be finalized after the announcement of the general election dates, expected early next month. The elections are a key factor influencing the comprehensive scheduling of the IPL’s 17th edition.
The IPL had encountered similar challenges during past general elections. In 2009, the entire tournament was held overseas in South Africa, and in 2014, a portion of the league took place in the UAE. However, the 2019 edition successfully navigated the general elections while hosting the tournament entirely in India.
Considering the T20 World Cup’s proximity, with the final likely on May 26, the IPL is expected to conclude just before the ICC event begins. The IPL opener will feature the winners of the previous edition, Chennai Super Kings, against runners-up Gujarat Titans, adhering to the league’s tradition.
The players’ auction for the 2024 season, held in December last year, saw Australian pacer Mitchell Starc become the most expensive player in IPL history, securing a spot with the Kolkata Knight Riders for Rs 24.75 crore.
