Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) co-owner Juhi Chawla has publicly supported former IPL chairman Lalit Modi's proposal to shift the Indian Premier League (IPL) from the hot summer months of March-May to January.
Responding to Modi's post on X, Chawla argued that the league has earned the influence to shape the global cricket calendar.
Chawla also questioned why the world's biggest cricket tournament continues to be played in the harshest heat. She stated that moving to January would offer better conditions, better cricket, and an improved overall experience for players and fans.
"The IPL no longer needs to find its place in the cricket calendar. It has earned the right to influence it. So why keep playing the biggest cricket tournament on the planet in the harshest heat? And if the calendar is being reconsidered, why not January instead of April-May?"
"Better conditions. Better cricket. A better experience for everyone overall! The IPL has evolved. Perhaps its calendar should too now!" Chawla wrote.
Earlier, Modi urged the BCCI to adopt either a January start or an October-April competition calendar. He suggested that as a commercial powerhouse, the IPL does not need to wait for an ICC-allocated window. He also called for expanding the tournament to 94 matches.
While a major shift in the calendar hasn't been reported, the BCCI has explored moving the IPL's start a bit earlier to mitigate severe summer heat and pre-monsoon rains.
"This year, IPL started around March 29 [28], and it was over by May 31," BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia told PTI. "Only thing which we are discussing is that during the fag end of the tournament after May 15... there is apprehension of having rainfall or pre-monsoon season starting."
"On the other hand, there is hot weather which is not very conducive either for the players or for the crowds."
"So therefore, there is a discussion going on in BCCI as well as in our IPL governing council regarding whether we can start the tournament a little bit earlier than the fag end of March."
It remains to be seen if the Indian board will implement the schedule change from next year’s IPL.
