IPL 2025 to be played from March 14 to May 25

In an unprecedented move, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced the dates for the next three IPL seasons. Of immediate interest is the 2025 season, slated to run from March 14 (Friday) to May 25 (Sunday).

The BCCI has also disclosed the schedules for the following two seasons:

• 2026: March 15 (Sunday) to May 31 (Sunday)

• 2027: March 14 (Sunday) to May 30 (Sunday)

These timelines were officially communicated to the franchises on Friday morning.

The early announcement of the league schedule marks a refreshing shift from the BCCI and IPL officials, who have often waited until the last minute to release the dates in previous years. The reason for this change, however, is not quite difficult to discern: the league now benefits from a clearly defined international window.

BCCI confirms Archer availability

Meanwhile, the BCCI has confirmed the availability of Jofra Archer for the season. The Barbados-born English bowler, considered a high impact player in the league, will be available for the full season. In fact, he has made himself available fully for all the three seasons of the current cycle.

Archer did not respond to a question from Cricbuzz but he has been positioned at the fag end of the auction register. While he could have hoped to come upfront, in the marquee set, he comes as Player No 575. Effectively his name will come up in the accelerated process after the first 116 players have been transacted.

There is no mention of his base price in the BCCI communique but it is learnt that he has placed himself at the top INR 2 crore bracket. Along with Archer, two other names have been added to the register - Saurabh Netravalkar (USA, No 576) and Hardik Tamore (MCA, No 577).

Deepak Hooda among suspect bowlers list

The BCCI has released the list of bowlers who are either banned for suspect action or are in the danger of being banned. Manish Pandey (KSCA, 157) and Shrijith Krishnan (KSCA, 281) have been banned from bowling while Deepak Hooda, an off-spinner from Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA), is in the suspect bowling list. Saurabh Dubey (344, VCA) and KC Cariappa (381, CAM) are also in the suspect list.

Source: Cricbuzz