While the 2020 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is expected to set to get underway at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on March 29, the final will be played on May 24. The 57-day window also means that host broadcasters will be able to afford to have no doubleheaders. The starting time is almost certain to be 7:30 pm.
Sources in the know of developments confirmed that the 2020 edition will be played over 57 days and the longer window means that doubleheaders could now be a thing of the past.
Talking about the same, one of the sources of Times of India said, “While the full schedule isn’t ready yet, the final is set to be played on May 24 and with the tournament starting on March 29, you obviously get a longer window than say 45 days. So, there should be no issue in accommodating one game a day. In fact, it should be a walk in the park for those chalking out how matches will be played over 57 days.”
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Asked about the starting time, considering that broadcaster is looking forward to an early start, the source said it was almost certain that games will start at 7:30 pm and it isn’t just about the broadcasters, it is also about how late games finished last season.
The sources further added, “See, TRP is an issue for sure, but let us not just put it on that as you can for yourself go back and see how late the games finished last season. Even for those coming into the stadium, it was quite an issue going back home after the game. While it is being discussed, but looks like we may start at 7:30 pm. this edition onwards.”
But franchises believe that for crowds to come in at that point in time on a working day can become very difficult. Even in case of doubleheaders, franchises have said that it was the broadcasters who weren’t too keen on having 4 pm matches, but the source said that even revenue generation wise it is a problem for the franchises.
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Describing the same, the source said, “Do you believe that it is just the broadcasters who have a problem? Let us be real. Even franchises have a problem filling the stands for the afternoon games. So, it is best that we do away with the afternoon games and focus on one game a day.”
