In a landmark decision, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has unveiled the schedules for the next three IPL seasons, with the 2025 season set to take place from March 14 (Friday) to May 25 (Sunday).
The dates for the subsequent two seasons are as follows:
- 2026: March 15 (Sunday) to May 31 (Sunday)
- 2027: March 14 (Sunday) to May 30 (Sunday)
The official schedule was shared with IPL franchises on Friday morning, marking a significant departure from the usual last-minute announcements. This proactive move is attributed to the IPL’s now clearly defined international window, providing more certainty for teams and players.
BCCI Confirms Archer’s Availability
The BCCI has also confirmed that English fast bowler Jofra Archer will be available for the entire 2025 season. Archer, regarded as one of the most influential players in the league, has committed to playing all three seasons in the current cycle.
Although Archer was positioned towards the end of the auction register as Player No 575, he will enter the accelerated bidding process after the first 116 players are picked. His base price is speculated to be in the top INR 2 crore bracket.
Alongside Archer, two more players—Saurabh Netravalkar from the USA (No 576) and Hardik Tamore (MCA, No 577)—have been added to the auction list.
Deepak Hooda Among Suspect Bowlers
In other news, the BCCI has released a list of bowlers flagged for suspect actions. Manish Pandey and Shrijith Krishnan have been banned from bowling. Additionally, Deepak Hooda, an off-spinner from the Rajasthan Cricket Association, has been placed on the suspect list, along with Saurabh Dubey and KC Cariappa.
This early release of the IPL schedules and the updates on player availability and actions reflect the BCCI’s increasing focus on transparency and planning for the upcoming seasons.
