IPL 2024 likely to start from March 22 despite Lok Sabha elections

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season is expected to be held in India, despite the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, according to a source from the Board for Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

The highly anticipated cricket tournament is set to commence on March 22, around the same time as the announcement of election dates. A reliable BCCI source has confirmed that the IPL will be held in India.

“There are no plans to shift the tournament outside the country, considering the general elections will also occur during that time.

If any state has valid reasons for not hosting matches at that time, the matches may be moved to another venue,” a BCCI source told ANI.

Teams have already finalized their squads after the IPL auction 2024, which took place in Dubai last month. The auction witnessed two instances where the record for the most expensive player was broken.

Australian cricketer Mitchell Starc became the highest-paid player in the history of IPL, as he was bought by the KKR for a whopping Rs 24.75 crore.

IPL Schedule 2024 to Hinge on Election Commission Decision Over Lok Sabha Election Dates

In addition, the IPL auction 2024 witnessed a 57% increase in viewership compared to the previous auction. Jay Shah, the secretary of the BCCI, announced that the IPL auction garnered 22.8 million viewers, surpassing the viewership of the 2022 auction.

Defending champions CSK, led by the legendary MS Dhoni, are preparing to retain their title.

CEO of Chennai Super Kings, Kasi Viswanathan, expressed optimism about Dhoni’s return, stating, “He has recovered well from his knee injury. He is currently undergoing rehabilitation programs and has started training, By the time the next IPL begins, I am confident he will be fit to play.”

The IPL continues to generate excitement among cricket fans, and it is expected to be a thrilling season with top-notch players and intense competition.