IPL 2018: BCCI changes match timings for the knockout games

After rejecting the proposal of the official broadcaster Star to prepone the match timings for all IPL matches, the BCCI has now budged. The Governing Council has decided to change the timings of the playoff matches and the final.

The IPL matches to be played after the league stage will now start at 7 PM instead of original timings of 8 PM. Before IPL began, Star had requested the BCCI to pull back the timings of all IPL matches. However, the Governing Council had refused then citing a clash between the weekend games.

In a statement, IPL Chairman Rajeev Shukla has made it clear that the decision has been taken keeping in mind the fans who have showered all their love over the tournament.

He confirmed reports that had claimed the IPL matches to be pulled back by one hour. In his statement, Shukla said that he believed that the games ending late in the night disturb the next-day of the office goers and school going children.

“The IPL is what it is because of its fans and the tournament has over the years been followed avidly both on the ground and on television at homes. So, keeping the interest of the fans in mind, it was decided that the playoff games and the final will start an hour earlier. So, instead of the 8 PM start, the games will start at 7 PM,” Rajeev Shukla noted.

“It gets difficult not only for those at the stadium but also for those watching on television as students and office-goers also need to get back to their respective stuff next morning and it helps if the game starts an hour earlier,” he further said.

The first qualifier of the IPL 2018 would be played on May 22 at the Wankhede Stadium between the two teams leading the points table.