Summers too hot for cricket? BCCI considers starting IPL 2027 in early March
The BCCI is considering moving the IPL to a March 10 to May 15 window to avoid late-season heat and pre-monsoon rain. The plan keeps the tournament at 74 matches for now and would require domestic cricket to finish earlier.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is actively considering advancing the Indian Premier League (IPL) schedule to an earlier window, with plans under discussion to begin future editions around March 10 and conclude by May 15.
The move is aimed at avoiding extreme summer heat in the latter stages of the tournament while maintaining the current structure and competitive balance. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed the development to PTI.
The proposal comes amid growing concerns over weather conditions in late May, alongside the challenge of fitting a packed international cricket calendar around the IPL’s two-month window.
“This year, IPL started around the March 29th (28th), and it was over by May 31. 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 pre-monsoon season starting,” BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said. “On the other hand, there is hot weather which is not very conducive either for the players or for the crowds,” he said.
Saikia explained that the board’s primary concern is ensuring better playing and viewing conditions, especially in regions where temperatures become extreme during the latter half of the IPL season. He said discussions are ongoing within the IPL Governing Council to explore whether the tournament can be advanced by nearly two weeks without disrupting other cricketing commitments.
WHAT ABOUT EXPANDING IPL TO 94 GAMES?
He also clarified that despite occasional suggestions to expand the league, there will be no increase in the number of matches from 74 to 94 in the foreseeable future due to international scheduling limitations.
“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,” Saikia said. “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,” he added.
Saikia further emphasised that any expansion would require coordination with other cricket boards and the ICC calendar, making it impractical at this stage. He noted that the IPL already operates within a tightly squeezed international window, and extending it further could disrupt bilateral series involving major cricketing nations.
He also highlighted the importance of aligning India’s domestic calendar to support the proposed IPL window, stating that finishing domestic competitions earlier would be crucial for smoother scheduling.
Saikia said the BCCI is also working to ensure that domestic tournaments conclude by early March to enable a cleaner transition into the IPL season. He pointed out that India’s domestic structure already spans several months, starting in late August and ending with the Ranji Trophy final in March, leaving limited flexibility. According to him, streamlining this schedule is essential if the IPL is to begin earlier and avoid overlapping weather and logistical challenges.
IPL 2026 | IPL Schedule | IPL Points Table | IPL Player Stats | Purple Cap | Orange Cap | IPL Videos | Cricket News | Live Score
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is actively considering advancing the Indian Premier League (IPL) schedule to an earlier window, with plans under discussion to begin future editions around March 10 and conclude by May 15.
The move is aimed at avoiding extreme summer heat in the latter stages of the tournament while maintaining the current structure and competitive balance. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed the development to PTI.
The proposal comes amid growing concerns over weather conditions in late May, alongside the challenge of fitting a packed international cricket calendar around the IPL’s two-month window.
“This year, IPL started around the March 29th (28th), and it was over by May 31. 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 pre-monsoon season starting,” BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said. “On the other hand, there is hot weather which is not very conducive either for the players or for the crowds,” he said.
Saikia explained that the board’s primary concern is ensuring better playing and viewing conditions, especially in regions where temperatures become extreme during the latter half of the IPL season. He said discussions are ongoing within the IPL Governing Council to explore whether the tournament can be advanced by nearly two weeks without disrupting other cricketing commitments.
WHAT ABOUT EXPANDING IPL TO 94 GAMES?
He also clarified that despite occasional suggestions to expand the league, there will be no increase in the number of matches from 74 to 94 in the foreseeable future due to international scheduling limitations.
“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,” Saikia said. “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,” he added.
Saikia further emphasised that any expansion would require coordination with other cricket boards and the ICC calendar, making it impractical at this stage. He noted that the IPL already operates within a tightly squeezed international window, and extending it further could disrupt bilateral series involving major cricketing nations.
He also highlighted the importance of aligning India’s domestic calendar to support the proposed IPL window, stating that finishing domestic competitions earlier would be crucial for smoother scheduling.
Saikia said the BCCI is also working to ensure that domestic tournaments conclude by early March to enable a cleaner transition into the IPL season. He pointed out that India’s domestic structure already spans several months, starting in late August and ending with the Ranji Trophy final in March, leaving limited flexibility. According to him, streamlining this schedule is essential if the IPL is to begin earlier and avoid overlapping weather and logistical challenges.
IPL 2026 | IPL Schedule | IPL Points Table | IPL Player Stats | Purple Cap | Orange Cap | IPL Videos | Cricket News | Live Score
