In a significant update for the IPL 2024 season, reports indicate that the Women's Premier League (WPL) is set to commence next month, while the IPL itself is scheduled to kick off on March 22. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is currently awaiting the announcement of Lok Sabha elections, after which the IPL schedule will be released promptly.
The second season of the WPL is slated to start in the last week of February and will take place in Delhi and Bengaluru, continuing through March. Notably, there are no conflicts with the Lok Sabha elections for this tournament, allowing for a timely schedule release. The auction process for players in both the IPL and WPL has already been completed, with franchises gearing up for cricket action with their finalized teams.
In contrast, IPL 2024 is expected to span across a dozen cities in India. Due to the impending Lok Sabha elections, the schedule for IPL matches will be prepared based on the election dates. Matches in cities with elections will be scheduled either before or after the polling. The BCCI is working diligently to organize IPL 2024 within India, avoiding the need for alternative venues as seen in previous editions.
The history of IPL adjustments during election years includes the 2009 edition being played in South Africa and the first 20 matches of the 2014 IPL taking place in the UAE. However, the 2019 IPL successfully took place in India during the general elections. With the anticipated March 22 start date, IPL 2024 promises cricket enthusiasts an exciting season ahead.
