The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has made a landmark announcement by revealing the dates for the Indian Premier League (IPL) for the next three seasons, marking a significant shift in how the league plans its future.
Match Format and Structure
The IPL 2025 season will feature 74 matches, maintaining the same format as the last three seasons. However, this is ten matches fewer than the 84 matches that were initially projected in the media rights tender for the 2023-27 cycle. The BCCI has emphasized flexibility in balancing logistics and player workload while ensuring viewer engagement.
Key Dates
- IPL 2025: The tournament will commence on March 14 and conclude with the final on May 25.
- IPL 2026: Scheduled to run from March 15 to May 31.
- IPL 2027: Matches will take place from March 14 to May 30.
Also READ: 5 players that Punjab Kings (PBKS) can target in the IPL 2025 mega auction
The BCCI’s decision to finalize these dates underscores the IPL’s growing prominence in the international cricket calendar and its importance to stakeholders within the sport.
Impact on Franchises and Players
This early announcement is expected to facilitate better planning for franchises as they prepare for the IPL 2025 mega auction scheduled for November 24 and 25, 2024, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The clarity regarding match schedules will also help overseas players prioritize their commitments, reducing last-minute withdrawals.
BCCI releases the list of suspect bowlers
The BCCI has also issued a list of bowlers flagged for suspect actions or banned from bowling due to violations. Among those banned are Manish Pandey and Shrijith Krishnan. Meanwhile, Deepak Hooda has been placed under scrutiny for a suspect bowling action. Joining him on the suspect list are Saurabh Dubey and KC Cariappa.