The IPL‘s next phase of growth may involve a significant change in timing rather than an immediate increase in size. As the league prepares for its landmark 20th edition in 2027, the BCCI is exploring an earlier tournament window designed to reduce the impact of extreme heat and adverse weather, while simultaneously ruling out any near-term move from 74 matches to the long-discussed 94-match format. Speaking to PTI, BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia said discussions are underway to bring the tournament forward by several weeks, potentially reshaping how the world’s biggest cricket league fits into an increasingly crowded global calendar.
The IPL traditionally begins in the latter part of March and concludes towards the end of May, but concerns around playing conditions during the closing stages of the competition have prompted fresh discussions inside the board and the IPL Governing Council. The proposed change would see the tournament start around March 10 and conclude by May 15.
Weather concerns drive scheduling rethink
As temperatures continue to rise across several IPL venues during May, the board believes an earlier finish could benefit both players and spectators while reducing the risk of weather-related disruptions around the playoffs and final.
Discussing the rationale behind the proposal, Saikia told PTI: “This year, IPL started around March 29 [28], and it was over by May 31. The only thing which we are discussing is that during the fag end of the tournament, after May 15… there is apprehension of having rainfall or the pre-monsoon season starting. On the other hand, there is hot weather, which is not very conducive either for the players or for the crowds. So therefore, there is a discussion going on in BCCI as well as in our IPL governing council regarding whether we can start the tournament a little bit earlier than the fag end of March.”
The move would represent one of the most significant calendar adjustments since the IPL expanded to ten franchises. It also reflects growing concern around player welfare and fan experience as matches continue to be played during increasingly challenging weather conditions.
March 10-May 15 window emerges as preferred option
The board’s preferred solution is now centred on creating a more compact schedule that concludes before the most difficult weather period begins in many parts of India.
Outlining the proposal, Saikia added: “From next year, we will make an effort, and I have already instructed our general manager [former India fast bowler Abey Kuruvilla] to look for the windows, whether we can start it by the 10th of March and conclude it by the 15th of May. So that there are no adverse weather conditions in the run-up to the playoffs and the final of IPL 2027, which will be the 20th edition. I’m hearing a lot of complaints from the fans as well as from the players, because not all players are very well-equipped or well-acclimatised to play in such hot conditions. So, to provide a pleasant atmosphere for the tournament, we want to close it by the 15th of May. That is our first goal now, and that is the prime area of concern for the next year’s 20th edition of IPL, which will be a big event.”
Any shift to an earlier start date would require adjustments elsewhere in the cricket calendar. India’s five-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy tour of Australia is currently scheduled to run until March 3, 2027, while Australia and England are due to play the 150th Anniversary Test at Lord’s from March 11-15, 2027. Those commitments could create scheduling considerations for players expected to transition directly into the IPL.
No immediate move to a 94-match IPL
While discussions around a larger IPL have gathered momentum in recent years, the BCCI’s immediate priority remains fitting the existing tournament comfortably within its current window rather than extending it further.
Addressing suggestions that the league could expand from 74 to 94 matches, Saikia said: “…that is not feasible right at this moment because we have to consider many other factors regarding various players coming from various nations. With lot of difficulties we are getting this two months window. It will be very difficult to go beyond two months because other countries also have to pay bilateral matches…So at this moment there is no discussion regarding increasing matches from 74 to 94. Not happening immediately.”
The comments mark a notable contrast with recent conversations around the league’s long-term growth trajectory. As previously reported by cricexec, IPL Chairman Arun Dhumal said in April that the BCCI was exploring pathways towards a 94-match competition in future years, with a full home-and-away schedule among ten franchises viewed as the ideal structure.
Long-term expansion remains part of the conversation
Although expansion is not currently on the agenda, the board has not closed the door on the possibility entirely. Any future increase in matches would require alignment across international cricket, bilateral schedules, ICC events and player availability.
Reflecting on the longer-term picture, Saikia noted: “In course of later years, I do not know what will be the position but right at this moment, I don’t see any possibility of increasing it from 74 to 94 because for that it is not only India that is to be considered but also the interest of other cricketing nations of the ICC especially players from Australia, England, New Zealand, South Africa, West Indies. We do not want to upset bilateral matches also and other multi-country tournaments.”
The wider discussion remains active within the sport. As reported previously by cricexec, Dhumal said in May that the BCCI had also explored alternative scheduling models, including the possibility of additional IPL windows elsewhere in the calendar, while continuing to view a 94-match format as a potential long-term objective if more space becomes available.
Domestic cricket could also be affected
An earlier IPL would have implications beyond the league itself. India’s domestic calendar currently stretches from late August through to the Ranji Trophy final, leaving little room for major scheduling adjustments.
Discussing the challenge, Saikia said: “If you look at our domestic cricket, it is a robust system which is in place. We started sometime in the later part of August with Irani Trophy and all the matches, and it goes up to the Ranji Trophy Final, which happens in the month of March. Already, we have about 7-8 months long period of domestic cricket. We have to squeeze in some of the matches, so that we finish our domestic cricket by 10th of March, so that we can start it (IPL) immediately.”
The proposal underlines the balancing act facing cricket’s most influential league. While the IPL continues to examine future growth opportunities, the BCCI’s immediate focus is on creating a schedule that better accommodates weather realities, player welfare, domestic cricket and the demands of the international game.
