IPL 2024

General Elections may force IPL 2024 out of India

In the past, the IPL has been played abroad due to general elections.

Dec 1, 2023 12:53 pm

Undoubtedly one of the most popular and exciting cricket leagues in the world, the IPL is known for its high-quality cricket, its star-studded lineups, and its passionate fans. Over the years, it has left fans breathless with its dazzling display of cricketing prowess and non-stop entertainment. and is by far, the most anticipated event in the cricketing calendar. Months before the start of the tournament, the buzz is palpable as cricket fanatics eagerly look forward to two months of exhilarating action.

The off-season buzz for the Indian Premier League has reached just begun, with the ten teams unveiling their retention lists on Sunday. While most decisions were predictable, there were a few eyebrow-raising moves, particularly Hardik Pandya‘s return to his former franchise, Mumbai Indians. Fans took to social media to dissect the lists, and the excitement is just beginning.

The IPL player auction will be held on Tuesday, December 19 in Dubai. Teams will have a total of INR 262.95 crore to spend at the auction, and there are 77 available slots across the 10 teams. Up to 30 overseas players can be signed at the auction table.

Elections cast a shadow on the IPL schedule

This time around, the IPL could be a little different as it will be influenced by the timing of India’s General Elections. The Election Commission of India will provide information on the election dates and venues, and the IPL Governing Council will finalize the IPL schedule accordingly. As such, there is a possibility of the tournament being played abroad, either partially or completely.

The potential relocation of IPL 2024 due to elections would not be the first instance of the tournament being held outside India. The second edition of the League 2009 was held in South Africa due to general elections. Similarly, in 2014, the tournament was staged in two phases, with the first half held in the UAE, again due to elections. However, in 2019, the tournament was successfully held entirely within India despite the country’s elections. In 2020 and 2021 too, the IPL was played overseas due to the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.