BCCI plans earlier start for IPL 2027 to avoid heat and rain disruptions

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is considering starting the Indian Premier League (IPL) a week earlier in 2027, with the tournament tentatively scheduled from March 10 to May 15. BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia said the move is being explored in response to rising temperatures and increasing pre-monsoon rainfall that have affected recent editions of the tournament. Despite previous discussions about expanding the competition from 74 to 94 matches, the board has indicated that the current international cricket calendar leaves little room for such an increase.

According to Saikia, the IPL has traditionally been held from the last week of March until the end of May. However, extreme heat conditions and weather-related interruptions during the latter stages of the tournament have become a growing challenge for players, match officials and spectators. The proposed adjustment is aimed at reducing the impact of adverse weather while ensuring smoother scheduling of fixtures.

The BCCI and the IPL Governing Council are currently evaluating various scheduling options. Saikia said the board has asked former cricketer A. B. Kuruvilla to identify a suitable window for the tournament. To facilitate an earlier IPL start, the board may also make changes to the domestic cricket calendar, with efforts underway to ensure that domestic competitions conclude by March 10.

Weather disruptions played a notable role during IPL 2026. A match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Punjab Kings at Eden Gardens on April 6 was abandoned because of rain and a wet outfield. The fixture between Rajasthan Royals and Mumbai Indians in Guwahati on April 7 was reduced to 11 overs per side after a lengthy delay, while a rain-affected contest between Lucknow Super Giants and Royal Challengers Bengaluru on May 7 was shortened to 19 overs per side.

The previous IPL season was played from March 28 to May 31, with Royal Challengers Bengaluru winning the championship. While discussions on expanding the tournament had taken place earlier, the BCCI has maintained that the crowded international schedule remains the primary reason for retaining the existing number of matches for the foreseeable future.