Why is BCCI planning to start IPL early from 2027? Devajit Saikia reveals the reasons | Cricket news
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is considering a major change in the scheduling of the Indian Premier League (IPL), with plans to start the tournament as early as the 2027 season. The move aims to reduce the impact of severe weather conditions on players, fans and match operations.BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia revealed that discussions are underway to shift the IPL window to around March 10 to May 15, instead of the traditional late March to late May schedule. The proposed change would coincide with the league’s historic 20th edition in 2027.
Weather concerns are the motivation behind the proposed shift
Speaking to PTI, BCCI’s Devajit Saikia believes that the latter stages of the IPL have been increasingly affected by rising temperatures and the possibility of pre-monsoon rains in several parts of the country. “This year, the Indian Premier League started around March 29 (28) and ended by May 31. The only thing we are discussing is that during the unpleasant end of the tournament after May 15…there is apprehension of rains or start of pre-monsoon season. On the other hand, there is hot weather which is not very conducive either for the players or the fans,” Saikia told PTI. He added that the Board of Directors is looking to postpone the tournament for approximately two weeks.“So, there is a discussion going on in the BCCI as well as in the Indian Premier League (IPL) Governing Council as to whether we can start the tournament a little earlier than the pesky end of March,” he said.“From next year, we will make an effort and I have already instructed our GM (Game Development) (former player Abe Kuruvilla) to look for windows to see if we can start it by March 10 and wrap it up by May 15. “So that there are no adverse weather conditions in the run-up to the qualifiers and finals of IPL 2027, which will be the 20th edition,” Saikia added. Saikia also revealed that concerns about playing conditions have been raised by players and fans.“I hear a lot of complaints from fans as well as from players, because not all players are well equipped or well acclimatized to play in such hot conditions, so, to provide an enjoyable atmosphere for the tournament, we want to conclude it by May 15. “This is our number one target now, and this is the main area of interest for the 20th edition of the IPL next year, which will be a big event.”
There are no plans to increase the number of matches
Despite periodic discussions about increasing the size of the tournament, Saikia clarified that there are currently no plans to expand the Indian Premier League beyond its current 74-match format.“…This is not possible at this moment because we have to take into account many other factors related to different players coming from different countries. “With so many difficulties, we were given two months’ notice.”“It will be very difficult to go beyond the two months because other countries also have to pay for the bilateral matches… So at this moment there is no discussion about increasing the matches from 74 to 94. It will not happen immediately,” Saikia stated clearly.
