MUMBAI: Indian Premier League chairman Brijesh Patel has confirmed that the 13th edition of the IPL will be played around the September 19 to November 8 window and that the same has been communicated to the franchises.
The BCCI had initially proposed September 26 to November 8 as the window but decided to advance the start by a week in order to reduce afternoon games. Lesser afternoon games, likely to start at 3.30 pm IST (2pm UAE) will be better suited for cricketers as well as broadcasters to ensure lesser fatigue and more revenue.
Speaking to IANS, Patel said that the window has been zeroed in on. “We have had a discussion and we are looking at the September 19 to November 8 window for this edition of the league. We have informed the franchises about the same,” he said.
The official announcement might happen only after the IPL’s governing council meeting, but the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has joined the franchises in making logistical plans for the 13th edition of the cash-rich league to be played in the UAE.
Patel’s “jumping the gun” on the dates announcement is yet another manifestation of the BCCI’s “no process, no procedure” functioning style. More so considering the fact that one of the matters that the IPL governing council was supposed to deliberates on was the duration of the tournament, which is the marquee event in host broadcaster Star Sports’ calendar.
Star Sports had reportedly been pitching for tweaking the IPL schedule so that the tournament finale was played on Sunday, November 15, so as to maximise viewership / sponsorship opportunities by leveraging the Diwali (Saturday, November 14) weekend.
Discussions were also expected on the timing of the night matches – whether they should be held as at usual 8 pm IST (6.30pm Dubai time) or be advanced by half an hour.
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