The 17th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is poised to kick off on March 22, starting just five days after the expected conclusion of the Women’s Premier League (WPL). The IPL is slated to run until May 26, concluding shortly before the T20 World Cup begins in the West Indies and the Caribbean on June 1. However, India’s first match in the World Cup is scheduled for June 5, giving a brief gap between the IPL and the international tournament.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has tentatively discussed the schedule with stakeholders, revealing that the second season of the WPL is set to take place from February 22 to March 17 in Bengaluru and Delhi. The official announcement of these dates is anticipated in the coming days, likely on Monday.

IPL 2024 Schedule Details and BCCI’s Election-Connected Planning Amidst T20 World Cup Preparations

The intricacies of the IPL schedule are closely tied to the General Election timetable. The BCCI is discreetly considering a window between March 22 and May 26 for the tournament, pending confirmation of election dates. Despite the uncertainty, the BCCI expresses confidence in hosting the entire league in India.

While assurances from most cricket boards guarantee player availability until the final, potential early departures are acknowledged due to the T20 World Cup beginning on June 1. However, the primary focus at this stage is aligning the schedule with the general elections and ensuring the IPL takes place in India.

In the midst of these considerations, Indian players, including Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja, engaged in a net session in Hyderabad. Notably absent was skipper Rohit Sharma, who opted for a personal net session at the BKC Ground in Mumbai. Rohit is expected to join the team in Hyderabad on Monday for another planned net session. Meanwhile, Jadeja may skip the session as reports suggest he is planning to visit Ayodhya. The team arrived in Hyderabad on Saturday for preparations.