The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 schedule is in the final process. While the tournament is likely to begin on 29th March, the final is expected to be played on 24th May. As the 13th edition of IPL has a longer window, there is likely to be no game that will begin at 4 PM. Also, the starting timings of the night games’ are likely to be changed for the new edition.
Since the IPL auction held on 9th December 2019, every IPL fan is now waiting to begin of this tournament. The IPL 2020 will be the 13th edition of this cash-rich tournament. While the full schedule of this tournament is in the final process, there is the report that some crucial changes are coming.
According to the recent IANS report, the IPL 2020 will have a 57-day window, unlike the previous rules of the 45-day window. The tournament will be likely to run between 29th March and 24th May 2020. As the IPL 2020 is getting the longer window, there is likely no two-match day. In recent times, the IPL mostly followed double-headers on every Saturday and Sunday, unless the playoffs begin.
A source told according to IANS, “While the full schedule isn’t ready yet, the final is set to be played on May 24 and with the tournament starting on March 29, you obviously get a longer window than say 45 days. So, there should be no issue in accommodating one game a day. In fact, it should be a walk in the park for those chalking out how matches will be played over 57 days.”
IPL 2020 matches can begin at 7:30 PM
Game timing is also a crucial factor in IPL. While the night matches were beginning at 8 PM (unless recent playoffs), it was an issue in TRP purpose as well as spectators’ returning their home purpose. So, the IPL 2020 matches are likely to begin at 7:30 PM, like the previous year’s playoffs.
The source added, “See, TRP is an issue for sure, but let us not just put it on that as you can for yourself go back and see how late the games finished last season. Even for those coming into the stadium, it was quite an issue going back home after the game. While it is being discussed, but looks like we may start at 7.30 p.m. this edition onwards.”
However, there is still a big issue of how the spectators will come earlier on the ground during the working days. It has brought the serious challenge to changing the game timings.
A franchise official said on this matter, “If you are living in a metro, you do know the kind of traffic issues there is say in Delhi, Mumbai or Bengaluru. Do you seriously believe that it is possible for people to leave office at around 6 p.m. and then come into the stadium with their families by the time the game gets underway? This is an area that needs to be taken into consideration before changing the timing of the game.”
Talking about removing the matches which begin at 4 PM, the IANS source pointed out the issue of the franchises to filling the stadium along with the broadcasting issues.