IPL 2024 Start and IPL 2024 Final Dates: BCCI announces official window for IPL 17

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has chosen to schedule the IPL 2024 season, spanning from March 22 to the end of May 2024.

As of Monday (December 18), media reports indicated that the BCCI has communicated these tentative dates to IPL franchises ahead of the IPL 2024 auction set to take place on December 19 in Dubai. This marks the first time that the IPL player's auction for the 2024 season will be conducted outside India.

IPL 2024 Star & End Dates

Final confirmation of the seventeenth season's dates is pending until there is clarity on the scheduling of the general elections to the Lok Sabha in the summer of 2024.

According to Cricbuzz, the cricket boards of Australia, South Africa, Afghanistan, New Zealand, and the West Indies have fully made their players available, with minimal or no conditions. However, the boards of England, Ireland, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh have granted conditional approval.

Will IPL 2024 Be Held Outside India?

In contrast to the 58-day window of IPL 2023, which commenced on March 31 and concluded on May 29, the potential involvement of the general elections has raised the possibility of the entire IPL being played outside India.

Despite the scheduling clash with Australia's Sheffield Shield final from March 20 to 25, 2023, most Australian, New Zealand, South African, and West Indian players are expected to be available for the entire IPL 2024 season.

However, England may face challenges due to their commitment to the T20 World Cup scheduled from June 4 to 30 in the Caribbean and the US. England might be inclined to have a solid group available for pre-World Cup camps, potentially impacting their availability if the IPL extends beyond May 20.

The BCCI, in a letter to franchises as reported by Cricbuzz, stated that the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is ready to make its players available for the entire tournament.

A Cricbuzz report said, "Australian, South African, Afghanistan, New Zealand, and West Indies boards have made their players available fully, with minor or no riders. However, England, Ireland, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh boards have given conditional approval."

The ECB is still finalising its schedule for the T20 World Cup 2024 in June, and any specific management requirements for individual players will be addressed by Rob Key in direct coordination with the player and their franchises.

The BCCI's letter, quoted to the franchises, further said, "ECB is prepared to make their players available for the duration of the Tournament. ECB are still in the process of finalising their schedule for the World T20 in June and if any individual players require specific management in the build-up to the World T20, Rob Key will liaise directly with the player and his franchise to make the necessary arrangements."

Furthermore, the letter informed franchises that Bangladesh players Taskin Ahmed and Mohd. Shoriful Islam, listed for the auction, will not be available for the IPL 2024 edition.