Putting aside the concerns regarding the commencement of the IPL 2019, the BCCI sources have revealed the date and venue of the mega event. As per the unnamed people in the Board, India will host the twelfth edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), beginning March 23rd. Though doubts were looming over the change in venue because of the General Elections in the country, a few of the top-brass members have shut such speculations. Meanwhile, the BCCI, on Tuesday, in a press release, declared the same but remained unsure about the finale’s date.
The IPL stays in India
Even in 2009 and 2014, when the Lok Sabha elections were underway, the venue got altered. South Africa hosted the entire event in 2009; whereas, a few of the games were held in the UAE in 2014 before IPL returned to India. However, the BCCI revealed the discussion with the state panel and the administration led to this decision.
Meanwhile, the preparations have been on a full-go for the tournament. On December 16th, 2018, the IPL 2019 auctions took place in Jaipur. As every franchise, earlier, had a chance of retaining and releasing players, they did so. Though the lists were out, each of them took on the other for the purchases of match-winners.
As the defending champions, Chennai Super Kings, already retained 23 off 25 players, they bought just two; Mohit Sharma is one of them. For the other franchises, the budget varied and thus their approach towards each player.
Lok Sabha Elections, 2019 World Cup – a threat for IPL 2019
The IPL 2019 got sandwiched between the Lok Sabha elections and the 2019 World Cup. Though the elections will take place in April-May, the World Cup in England and Wales will start on May 30th.
As if the pressure from the central government wasn’t enough to urge the authorities to look out for a different venue, the dates for the cricket’s most significant event put dark clouds over the scheduling of IPL 2019.