IPL 2025 to Kick Off on March 14: Dates for Next Three Seasons Revealed
In a landmark decision, the Indian Premier League (IPL) has announced its schedule for the next three seasons. The IPL 2025 season will commence on March 14, with the final scheduled for May 25. The 2026 season is set to run from March 15 to May 31, while the 2027 season will take place between March 14 and May 30.
Match Structure and Adjustments
The 2025 season will feature 74 matches, consistent with the past three seasons. This is ten fewer than the 84 matches originally listed for the 2023-2027 media rights cycle. The IPL tender document outlined varying match counts per season, with 74 games in 2023 and 2024, 84 games in 2025 and 2026, and up to 94 matches in 2027, the final year of the cycle.
Despite earlier projections, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has opted for a cautious approach, citing concerns over managing players’ workloads.
Overseas Players Confirm Full Availability
In a significant boost for franchises, the IPL has secured full availability of overseas players from most Full Member nations for the 2025-2027 seasons. Pakistan players, however, remain absent due to ongoing political tensions.
Country-Specific Updates
- Australia: Cricket Australia has cleared players for IPL 2025. In 2026 and 2027, availability will depend on tours and events, such as the T20 World Cup and a one-off Test match against England in March 2027.
- England: The ECB has provided a list of 18 centrally contracted players, including big names like Jos Buttler, Harry Brook, and Sam Curran. However, Ben Stokes is notably absent, having opted out of the 2025 auction.
- South Africa, New Zealand, West Indies, Afghanistan, Zimbabwe: Players from these nations are fully available for all three seasons.
- Sri Lanka: Players are cleared for the 2025 season, with retention determining their availability for subsequent years.
- Bangladesh: The Bangladesh Cricket Board has shared a list of 13 players with varying availabilities, including Shakib Al Hasan, Mustafizur Rahman, and Taskin Ahmed.
Impact on IPL Auction
With the player availability confirmed, franchises are expected to strategize for the 2025 IPL Mega Auction, where marquee players like Jofra Archer and Harry Brook are likely to be key picks.
Strategic Planning for Franchises
The confirmed schedules and player commitments allow franchises to plan better for squad rotation, ensuring optimal performance across the extended tournament.
The IPL’s announcement of dates for the next three seasons underlines its focus on maintaining consistency and clarity for stakeholders. As cricket’s most popular league gears up for another action-packed season in 2025, the anticipation among fans and franchises is set to soar.
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