Indian Premier League bosses to review plan to delay start of first game to 5.30 pm

Indian Premier League matches have been played at 4 pm and 8 pm since it was launched in 2008.

The Indian Premier League’s governing council will review its proposed plan to delay the start of the first match to 5.30 pm after objections by some franchises, league chairman, Rajiv Shukla, said on Friday.

Rajiv Shukla is the chairman of the Indian Premier League. (AP)

“The broadcaster (Star India) had requested and the GC considered it during its meeting. After that we have received objections from a couple of franchises. We’ll discuss with them also. We’ll discuss with the broadcaster also and we’ll arrive at a decision in an amicable way.

READ | IPL 2018 player auction: Battle-hardened 35-plus warriors in demand for marquee event

“It’s an administrative issue. We can sort it out at our level.”

The IPL matches have been played at 4pm and 8pm since the league was launched in 2008. With a 5.30pm start there will be an overlap of the matches, and the teams are concerned their sponsors would object due to a reduced viewership.

The 2018 IPL auction at the weekend has attracted a bigger pool of cricketers from England. There has been a problem over the availability of England players for the entire duration (April 4 to May 31) and hence franchises are reluctant to go for them. Shukla said it has spoken to the England and Wales Cricket Board, and from now on, all Boards who release their players for the full duration will be paid more.

READ | IPL auction: Franchises ready to splurge big, focus on Ben Stokes

“We have spoken to the England board and asked them to provide the players. And we’ve made a provision that whoever provides players for the entire duration, we will pay the Board 20 per cent (of the player’s fee). Earlier, we were paying 10 per cent.”