The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 is approaching its championship match, which will take place on May 29, Sunday, at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. On Wednesday, Lucknow Super Giants defeated Kolkata Knight Riders by two runs to qualify for the IPL 2022 playoffs.
The race for the remaining two playoff berths is likely to heat up with two more spots up for grabs. There has been a significant change in the timing of the summit clash ahead of the IPL 2022 final.
According to multiple reports, the IPL 2022 final could start at 8 p.m. instead of the usual 7:30 p.m. All evening games are currently scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m., but the BCCI has decided to change the timing of the final because the season's closing ceremony will also take place this year.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the IPL has not held a closing since 2020; however, the same is set to return for the 2022 edition.
According to reports, the 15th edition of the cash-rich league's closing ceremony will last 50 minutes, with Bollywood superstar Ranveer Singh and music maestro AR Rahman set to perform.
According to reports, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is considering changing the times of both evening and afternoon games starting next season.
From the 2023-2027 cycle, the BCCI will hold an auction for the media and broadcasting rights of the IPL, and the apex body is known to favour moving evening games from 7:30 PM to 8 PM. Similarly, afternoon games could be moved from 3:30 to 4 p.m., but no official announcement has been made yet.
With Lucknow and Gujarat having already secured their spots in the IPL 2022 playoffs, Delhi Capitals, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Rajasthan Royals are still vying for the remaining two spots.