The Board of Control (BCCI) has revealed why the schedule for the 19th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is yet to be revealed. The IPL 2026 is scheduled to take place from March 26 to May 31 and with less than 45 days left for the tournament to begin, fans are questioning why the BCCI has not released the final fixtures yet.
While many cricket lovers are currently focused on the T20 World Cup, a large section of fans are eagerly waiting for the IPL schedule. So, what is actually causing the delay?
A BCCI official said the schedule has been delayed due to potential clashes with election and counting dates. Security constraints could force venue changes, requiring complex adjustments. The board is awaiting clarity from authorities and may consider releasing the schedule in two phases if needed.
Speaking to InsideSport, the official said, “It’s a mammoth task to rearrange the schedule of three teams if some of the match dates clash with the election or counting dates. Naturally, the state police won’t be able to provide security for the matches, and we will have to move those games to a different location. We are in touch with the authorities and waiting for clarity on the dates.”
The official further added, “If the dates take too long to be announced, we may end up releasing the schedule in two parts. That is one option. We will take a call soon.”
HOW ARE THE ELECTIONS DELAYING IPL DATES?
One of the key reasons behind the delay in announcing the IPL schedule is the upcoming Assembly elections in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Assam. With state police forces expected to be deployed extensively for election duty, providing security for matches could become a challenge, directly affecting scheduling plans.
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Kolkata Knight Riders may face logistical hurdles as Eden Gardens could be unavailable during the polls. While Guwahati has previously served as an alternate venue, elections in Assam further complicate matters. KKR are reportedly in discussions with the Odisha Cricket Association to host matches in Cuttack if required.
Rajasthan Royals are dealing with a similar situation. Amid continuing issues with the Rajasthan Cricket Association, Guwahati has functioned as their secondary base. However, with Assam heading to elections, RR have initiated talks with the Maharashtra Cricket Association to stage games at Pune’s MCA Stadium. Royal Challengers Bengaluru had earlier explored backup options but have since resolved their concerns, while RR are still finalising their venue strategy.
STADIUM AVAILABILITY A PROBLEM?
Apart from the elections, stadium availability is another major concern due to the ongoing T20 World Cup. Five of the 10 IPL venues, Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai and Ahmedabad, are currently hosting World Cup matches and will need time for handover and preparations before the IPL begins.
The delay in announcing the fixtures now appears strategic rather than unusual. Fans, however, continue to await official confirmation.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are the defending champions, having claimed their maiden IPL title last season with a six-run victory over Punjab Kings at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
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