Indian Premier League 2024: Potential Start Date Revealed; Likely To Be Impacted By General Election - Report

India's foremost domestic cricket competition, the Indian Premier League, will return for its 17th season in 2024, with the tournament likely to begin on March 22 and run on until the end of May - according to a report by ESPN Cricinfo. The final dates of the ten-team competition are yet to be confirmed and will possibly be impacted by the Indian General Election Poling dates. (IPL Auction Live Blog | Streaming | Cricket News)

IPL 2024 will, once again, be a ten-team event. Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings will aim to defend their crown while a Hardik Pandya-less Gujarat Titans will look to make it three finals in succession under the stewardship of their new captain, Shubman Gill. Pandya, who now leads Mumbai Indians, will hope to lead his side to glory but will face stiff competition from all around the contest. While those three teams are, again, favourites to head into the playoffs, a lot will depend on the outcome of the Mini Auction, scheduled for December 19, 2023, in Dubai, where franchises will shore up their squads to mount a challenge when the league begins. 

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Despite the impending General Election, there is no indication that IPL 2024 will take place anywhere other than India. However, should the organisers be compelled to move elsewhere, they will have enough precedent to do so. South Africa hosted the 2009 season of IPL in its entirety after the Government of India refused to draw forces away from the 2009 General Election following security concerns. Five years later, the United Arab Emirates hosted part of the Indian cricket competition as it again coincided with the nationwide polling process.

The 2019 IPL, however, was held in its totality within the national peripheries, despite security concerns arising again due to the ongoing election.