BCCI is proposed to the television broadcasters Star India that in the upcoming IPL season, the 8 pm match game to start at 7 instead. The 8 pm start has often seen the matches continue well past midnight, thus causing a problem to the fans at the stadium and to parents of kids at home, watching on television.

It was in an IPL general council meeting that the chairman Rajeev Shukla proposed the idea of an early start. The idea was embraced by the franchises, but finalizing on it would depend on the broadcaster.

The GC meet saw the approval of another change in the format of the tournament, wherein, like in European football, the franchises will be provided a mid-tournament transfer window, such that a cricketer who has played two games out of seven, can move to a different franchise.

As quoted in the Indian Express, Shukla said, “It was just a thought (starting game at 7 pm) and everyone welcomed it but first we need to speak to the broadcaster and take their nod. We will work on modalities then. There have been many centers where traveling is a major concern. All the issues were discussed and we all thought to start the game but early.”

However, if the 7 pm idea is approved then there will be certain chances that chances that afternoon games will also be shifted to 3 pm. Shukla though pointed out that Star India will take the final call.

On the issue of mid-season transfers of players, the IPL Chairman said, “Every IPL owner agreed to have this in the upcoming season. It will give chance to those players who are good but are not getting opportunities to be part of playing XI of any IPL side. We are having an IPL governing council meeting soon to finalize all these points.”