MUMBAI: The Indian Premier League (IPL) will reportedly have a longer schedule when the world’s most popular T20 cricket tournament arrives for its 13th edition next year.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is mulling the option of more night games that start at 7 pm, Indian Express reports. According to the daily, BCCI is working on a plan where each team only plays one day game in the entire IPL season and fewer double-headers on weekends.
To accomodate this plan, the IPL is likely to start on April 1 and could end by May 30 – a full 60 days instead of the current 45-day schedule, IE reports.
The BCCI is also keen to have a 7 pm start for all matches and will discuss this with the franchises. Mumbai Indians, in the past, have expressed their disagreement with early starts and argued that Mumbai crowds come to watch matches post office hours.
In 2017, former India captain and commentator Sunil Gavaskar had expressed his preference for games not finishing too late and the view was also backed by former IPL chairman Rajeev Shukla.
“There is a plan in place of playing more games at night. If it is passed, each team will have to play only one game in the afternoon. Teams who play in the north face heat waves and conditions get more difficult. There is a plan of using all 60 days instead of wrapping up the IPL in 45 days. The IPL GC has to approve it,” a source informed the daily.
This is among the many changes likely to be introduced when the new IPL Governing Council has its first meeting.
The players’ auction is scheduled to be held on 19 December.
Mumbai Indians are the reigning champions.
