IPL 2027 begins on 10 March, final on 15 May:BCCI puts 94 matches per season plan on hold due to packed international calendar

The BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) secretary Devajit Saikia hinted at an early start for the IPL next year. The 19th edition of the IPL, which took place this year, started on 28 March and the final was played on 31 May. The two-month-long tournament saw the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) successfully retain their trophy. This move, Saikia said, was to tackle adverse weather conditions, especially extreme heat. ‘Got complaints from players, fans about heat’ In a conversation with PTI, Saikia explained that weather conditions, especially extreme heat, have made the BCCI contemplate on such a move. The upcoming season of the IPL is set to be the 20th edition, a landmark year of one of the most popular franchise T20 competitions. “This year, IPL started around March 29th (28th), and it was over by May 31. The only thing which we are discussing is that during the fag end of the tournament, after May 15…there is apprehension of having rainfall or pre-monsoon season starting. On the other hand, there is hot weather, which is not very conducive either for the players or for the crowds,” Saikia said. The BCCI secretary said that he has informed General Manager of Games Development Abbey Kuruvilla to explore windows for the IPL to be played between 10 March and 15 May, “so that there are no adverse weather conditions in the run-up to the playoff and the finals of the IPL 2027, which will be the 20th edition.” Saikia also revealed that he has received complaints from fans as well as players regarding the extreme heat in some parts of the country and hence, this move has been planned to provide a ‘pleasant atmosphere.’ “That is our first goal now, and that is the prime area of concern for the next year’s 20th edition of IPL, which will be a big event,” he said. ‘No discussion on increasing IPL matches from 74 to 94’ Earlier, IPL governing council chairman Arun Dhumal had said that the IPL might be expanded to a home-and-away format and have 94 matches in the season starting from 2028. But Saikia said that such a plan might not be possible immediately, given the packed international calendar. As per the current format, the 10 IPL teams are divided into two virtual groups and not every team play each other twice in the group stage. The points table however, remains one despite there being two groups. “That (increasing matches to 94) is not feasible right at this moment because we have to consider many other factors regarding various players coming from various nations. With lot of difficulties we are getting this two months window,” he said. “It will be very difficult to go beyond two months because other countries also have to pay for bilateral matches…So at this moment, there is no discussion regarding increasing matches from 74 to 94. Not happening immediately,” Saikia added. He also did not rule out the concept of having a 94-match season entirely sometime in the future. “In course of later years, I do not know what will be the position but right at this moment, I don’t see any possibility of increasing it from 74 to 94 because for that it is not only India that is to be considered but also the interest of other cricketing nations of the ICC especially players from Australia, England, New Zealand, South Africa, West Indies,” he said.