In a definitive announcement, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Secretary, Jay Shah, has confirmed that the entirety of the Indian Premier League (IPL) will be held in India. This confirmation comes amidst earlier speculations suggesting a potential relocation to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), as reported by Times of India.
Shah reassured cricket enthusiasts that the BCCI is diligently collaborating with government and security agencies to adhere to all essential protocols and advisories, particularly in light of the upcoming general elections.
“We will carefully assess and address any concerns regarding the schedule for the first two weeks. Following this, we will collaborate with local authorities to finalize the remainder of the schedule, taking into account the polling dates,” CNBC-TV18 quoted Shah as saying.
The confirmed IPL dates coincide with the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, scheduled to commence on April 19 and unfold across seven phases, with results announced on June 4. The IPL season is set to commence on March 22 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
In the previous IPL season, the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) emerged victorious over the Gujarat Titans in the final, clinching their fifth IPL title and solidifying their status as one of the most successful teams in IPL history alongside the Mumbai Indians.