The upcoming Indian Premier League season (IPL 2020) will be played between 29th March and 24th May 2020. While there will be no change in match timings, we can see lesser doubleheaders in the forthcoming editions.
On Monday (27th January), the IPL Governing Council organised a meeting where the BCCI office-bearers were also present. After that meeting, the IPL Governing Council chairman Brijesh Patel has confirmed to Cricbuzz the starting and ending dates of IPL 2020. The IPL 13 will run from 29th March and 24th May 2020.
One of the crucial talking points of the latest meeting was the match timings. There was a big discussion to start the matches at least 7:30 pm instead of 8 pm. The broadcasters were also very much interested in this early start planning. However, the BCCI President Sourav Ganguly has confirmed that the night matches of IPL 2020 will begin at 8 pm. We will see a total of five doubleheaders as the matches will start at 4 pm and 8 pm.
Ganguly told the reporters, “There will be no change in the timing of IPL night games. It will start from 8 pm like earlier years. There was discussion about 7:30 pm but it’s not happening. We will have only five doubleheaders (4 pm and 8 pm) this time. IPL final will be held in Mumbai.”
BCCI President confirmed two new changes in IPL 2020
Sourav Ganguly has also confirmed that there will be two new introductions in the IPL 2020. One is the no-ball rule where an additional umpire will check the no-balls.
The second one is the concussion substitute which we have already experienced in international cricket.
Ganguly added, “The concussion substitute and the no ball rule are new additions for the season.”
Mumbai will host the next IPL final
Earlier, there was the report that the new Sardar Patel Stadium (Motera) will host the IPL 2020 final on 24th May 2020. However, the BCCI President has confirmed that Mumbai will host the IPL 2020 final. As per the IPL tradition, the defending champions’ home venue becomes the first choice for the IPL final. While Mumbai Indians (MI) won the last IPL trophy (IPL 2019), Wankhede Stadium (Mumbai) is now likely to host the IPL 2020 final.
Ganguly said, “IPL final will be held in Mumbai.”
IPL All-Stars game will be organised before the opening match of IPL 2020
The BCCI President has also revealed that an IPL All-Stars match will be played just before the start of IPL. He also clarified that Ahmedabad can’t host this match as it is still not ready for the match. The other details for this special game will be announced soon.
He said, “It will be an IPL All Stars Game three days before start of IPL. The venue is not Ahmedabad as it is still not match ready. We have not decided on where we will make the donation.”