Juhi Chawla wants IPL moved to January, away from April-May heat

Actor and Kolkata Knight Riders co-owner Juhi Chawla has given her view on when the IPL should be held. She has demanded that the Indian Premier League be played in January. She says a change in the tournament's schedule could benefit players, spectators and everyone connected with it. The IPL is currently held between March and May, with most matches played in April and May.

Chawla made the remarks in a post on social media, which has set off lively discussion in cricket circles. She questioned the IPL's current schedule and suggested that the timing of the tournament be rethought.

In her post, Chawla wrote that the IPL no longer needs to earn a place in the cricket calendar; it has reached such a stature that it has the right to influence the calendar. She also said Lalit Modi has called for a change to the IPL window. According to Modi, the IPL matters as much to cricket as the English Premier League (EPL) does to football.

Modi's post, which Chawla used as the basis for her argument, says the IPL does not need a window from the ICC. In Modi's words, the IPL is a domestic tournament owned and run by the BCCI, and the BCCI can decide when to hold it. He accepted that international commitments and the release of players would have to be managed, but said asking permission to have a place in the calendar is an entirely different matter.

Modi wrote that in 2008 India's film, television and entertainment industry thought it could take on the IPL, but soon realised what happens when the IPL captures the attention of the whole country. Film releases had to be pushed back and prime-time television was disrupted. In his words, the IPL did not ask Bollywood for a window; Bollywood adapted itself to the IPL.

On reviving the Champions League T20, Modi wrote plainly that he is not in favour. He said he was involved in creating the original Champions League concept and that it was a sound commercial decision at the time. But IPL franchise ownership groups have now spread across several international T20 leagues. Teams with the same owner playing each other raises questions of governance and conflict of interest. In his view, the existing competition should be strengthened rather than a new tournament created.

Modi proposes that serious thought be given to moving the IPL away from the ever-hotter April-May weather. He has put forward two options: a start in January, or a carefully designed competition calendar running from October to April.

Chawla also asked in her post why the world's biggest cricket tournament should be held in the hottest season of the year. She says that if the cricket schedule is being reconsidered, the IPL should be held in January instead of April-May.

Chawla also listed the advantages of a January tournament. According to her, the weather at that time is comparatively favourable, which could help raise the standard of cricket and give players and spectators a better experience. Her proposal has started fresh debate over changing the IPL schedule.