IPL CHAIRMAN ARUN DHUMAL has hinted that the league could be split into two separate windows in the future, with the BCCI considering a possible September-October slot alongside the existing window to address scheduling and weather-related challenges.
The IPL currently takes up almost two months of the cricket calendar, and there have been concerns raised over whether fans could eventually experience fatigue if the tournament becomes even longer.
Speaking to Sportstar, Dhumal said the board is still studying the situation and discussing possible changes with broadcasters.
Dhumal stated: “I do not think so. We need to sit across and speak to the broadcaster for their opinion on whether the tournament can be moved to another window. One suggestion was a window in September-October. That is the best time from an advertiser point of view because it is just before Diwali.”
Extreme weather during May has also become a growing concern for the league. Because of this, the BCCI is also looking at the possibility of running the tournament in two phases – one from February to April and another later in the year.
“Weather is another challenge that we are facing now with May getting very hot. We are also looking if we can find a window from February to April and then later in the year,” Dhumal told Sportstar.
Any decision will perforce have to consider the international cricket calendar as well, since the IPL impacts players and cricket boards around the world.
“We have to do what is best for the game because IPL does not impact only the BCCI, it impacts all other cricket boards and players who play across the globe. We will sit across with all our friends from other countries and find what works best for this tournament and cricket globally,” he said.
