IPL 2020: Early Start, No Double Headers, Final To Be Held On May 24: Report

Late finishes to the night games were a big concern for the players as well as fans in the last edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Quite a number of games had stretched over the stipulated time of three-and-a-half hours last season which caused problems not only for the players as well as fans.

The likes of AB de Villiers, Kuldeep Yadav, Tom Moody and Stephen Fleming had voiced their concerns on this issue. The IPL governing council had then taken the decision to stage the two qualifiers, eliminator and the final at 7:30 pm IST instead of 8:00 pm IST which was the norm during the group games.

Early start in IPL 2020:

Keeping in mind the problems that cropped up in the last season, the IPL governing council has reportedly decided to keep the starting time of all night matches at 7:30 pm. And while this year’s tournament is set to start on March 29 in Mumbai, the final will be played on May 24.

The 57-day window also means that host broadcasters are likely to have their way and there will be no double headers, according to IANS. Last year, the governing council and the board had no option but to include a number of double headers because of the shortage of time due to the World Cup in summer.

“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,” a source said.

Asked about the starting time, considering that broadcaster is keen on an early start, the source said it was almost certain that games will start at 7:30 pm and it isn’t just about the broadcasters, it is also about how late games finished last season.

“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 pm. this edition onwards,” the source said.

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