The 17th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is likely to begin on March 22, according to the chairman of the popular cricket league. Arun Dhumal, the chairman of IPL, revealed this news on Tuesday, marking a potential start date for the highly anticipated cricket extravaganza.

"We are aiming to commence IPL 2024 from March 22," said Arun Dhumal, as reported by PTI.

This aligns with earlier reports speculating that IPL would kick off on March 22, just five days after the conclusion of the Women's Premier League. It's anticipated that IPL 2024 will run until May 26, leaving a brief window of preparation for the Indian cricket team ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup, set to begin on June 2 in the US and the Caribbean. India's opening match in the T20 World Cup is scheduled for June 5 against Ireland.

However, this IPL season is set to overlap with the Lok Sabha elections, typically held from April to May. In the past, IPL matches had to be relocated overseas due to clashes with general elections.

Earlier in January, Cricbuzz reported that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is optimistic about hosting all matches within the cricket-crazy nation, where cricketers are revered akin to gods. However, the finalization of the schedule awaits the announcement of election dates.

According to Brand Finance, IPL has achieved a remarkable milestone by becoming a decacorn, with its combined brand value surging by 28% to reach $10.7 billion. Since its inception in 2008, the IPL system has seen a staggering 433% increase in its overall brand value.

Arun Dhumal had previously speculated that IPL's media rights value could soar to an astounding $50 billion over the next 20 years.

Ravichandran Ashwin's Historic Achievement: 500 Test Wickets Milestone

Celebrating Women's Athletic Achievement on National Girls and Women in Sports Day