The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is exploring a potential shift of the Indian Premier League from its traditional March-May window to a September-October schedule, driven by escalating summer heat, player fatigue, and ambitious expansion plans.
IPL chairman Arun Dhumal confirmed that scheduling discussions have gained momentum as the league eyes a larger match count from 2028. While no immediate changes are planned, alternative windows are actively being assessed.
“One suggestion was a window in September-October. That is the best time from an advertiser’s point of view because it is just before Diwali,” Dhumal told Sportstar, adding that any revision would align with the next bilateral broadcasting tender.
The timing shift carries significant commercial logic. A Diwali-adjacent schedule would place the tournament squarely within India’s peak festive advertising season, unlocking stronger monetisation potential for broadcasters, franchises, and sponsors alike.
Player welfare is equally central to the conversation. Several IPL venues endure extreme heat and humidity through May, resulting in recurring concerns around cramps, dehydration, and soft-tissue injuries. With cricketers often transitioning directly from international assignments into the league, recovery windows remain dangerously thin.
BCCI is also weighing a split-season format – running portions of the tournament across February-April and later in the year – to better manage player workloads and scheduling conflicts.
The IPL currently spans 74 matches across 10 teams over two months. Any structural change will require careful coordination with broadcasters, franchises, and global cricket bodies.
