IPL 2027 Could Start on March 10 to Avoid Extreme Weather: BCCI Secretary Saikia

In a major change in the scheduling of the IPL, The Board of Control for Cricket in India is planning to advance the tournament's window to shield players and fans from extreme weather.

BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia has confirmed that plans are underway to launch the 2027 edition as early as March 10 and conclude the tournament by May 15.

The proposed adjustment is a direct response to recurring environmental challenges faced during the business end of the tournament in late May, when heavy pre-monsoon rains and soaring summer temperatures regularly impact match conditions and spectator comfort. The urgency for change follows the recently concluded 2026 season, which saw several fixtures disrupted by rain, including a high-profile washout between the Kolkata Knight Riders and Punjab Kings.

Speaking to PTI, Saikia said, "This year, IPL started around the 29th of March, and it was over by the 31st of May. The only thing we are discussing is that during the fag end of the tournament, after 15th of May, there are issues regarding the weather, particularly in some areas, there is apprehension of having rainfall or the pre-monsoon season starting or on the other hand, there are warm weather, hot conditions, which are not very conducive either for the players or for the crowds or the fans."

While the tournament's calendar is set for a shake-up, the overall format will remain unchanged. Saikia dismissed speculation regarding an expansion of the tournament, stating that the IPL will stick to its current 74-match format rather than expanding to a rumored 94 games.

He told the news agency: "So, there is a discussion going on in BCCI as well as in our IPLGC regarding whether we can start the tournament a little bit earlier than the fag end of March. From next year, we'll make an effort and I have already instructed our general manager games development to look for the windows whether we can start it by 10th of March so that we want to conclude it by 15th of May so that there is no adverse weather conditions in the run-up to the final stages playoff and the finals of the IPL 2027 which will be the 28th edition of IPL.

VIDEO | BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia says IPL could start as early as March 10 and finish by May 15 from next season to avoid adverse weather during the business end of the tournament. No plans, however, to expand the IPL beyond its current 74 matches due to international… pic.twitter.com/zxjHJoGWE4

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 18, 2026

So far as the other thing regarding increase of the number of matches that is not feasible right at this moment because we have to consider many other factors regarding various players coming from various nations and with lot of difficulties we are getting this two months window but it will be very difficult to enhance it to go beyond two months because other countries also have to play bilateral matches and there are various other things relating to international draws and fixtures."

The BCCI administrator clarified thatthere is no discussion regarding increasing it from 74 to any further matches up to 94. The decision is heavily dictated by a congested international cricket calendar and the need to respect the bilateral commitments of overseas boards. Saikia noted that securing the current two-month window is already a complex logistical challenge, and expanding it further would unfairly disrupt the schedules of key cricketing nations like Australia, England, New Zealand, and South Africa.

He concluded, "In course of later years I do not know what will be the position but right at this moment I don't see any possibility of increasing it from 74 to 94 because for that it is not only India is to be considered but the interest of other cricketing nations of the ICC especially players from Australia, England, New Zealand, South Africa all are playing in this tournament... West Indies... so we do not want to upset their bilateral matches also and other international pictures including various other multi-country tournaments. So, at this moment I don't see any chance of increasing it beyond the window of two months, which will accommodate only about 74 matches with a lot of double headers during the run-up to the tournament."