KKR Co-Owner Endorses Lalit Modi's Idea, Wants IPL Window Moved

Kolkata Knight Riders co-owner Juhi Chawla recently backed Lalit Modi's suggestion of hosting the IPL in January. Modi, the founder of the IPL, took to social media to express his view that India's premier T20 tournament should be shifted from its traditional April-May window to either January or October to protect players from the harsh summer conditions. The 2026 edition of the IPL also faced criticism after several players and even fans complained about the scorching heat in North India.

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Modi wrote that the BCCI does not require the ICC's approval to schedule the IPL and can decide the tournament's window independently. He also pointed out that the league has established itself as one of the biggest sporting competitions in the world, and staging it outside the peak summer months would provide a better experience for both players and fans.

"The IPL doesn't need a window. It creates its own. The IPL is a domestic tournament. The BCCI decides when to stage it. It does not need the ICC to grant it a window. International commitments and player releases can be managed. The IPL doesn't need to adjust to world cricket. World cricket must learn to adjust to the IPL," wrote Modi.

"Move the IPL away from the punishing April-May heat. Explore January or an October-April calendar. Build a bigger, stronger and more valuable IPL," he added.

Responding to Modi's post, Juhi Chawla also took to X and voiced her support for the idea. She even questioned why the tournament continues to be held during the most extreme summer months.

"The IPL no longer needs to find its place in the cricket calendar. It has earned the right to influence it. So why keep playing the biggest cricket tournament on the planet in the harshest heat? And if the calendar is being reconsidered, why not January instead of April-May?"

"Better conditions. Better cricket. A better experience for everyone overall! The IPL has evolved. Perhaps its calendar should too now!" she wrote.

The IPL no longer needs to find its place in the cricket calendar. It has earned the right to influence it. So why keep playing the biggest cricket tournament on the planet in the harshest heat? And if the calendar is being reconsidered, why not January instead of April-May? Better conditions. Better cricket. A better experience for everyone overall! The IPL has evolved. Perhaps its calendar should too now! #JustAThought

— Juhi Chawla Mehta (@iam_juhi) November 9, 2026

Earlier in June, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia told PTI that the board was considering starting IPL 2027 slightly earlier than its usual late-March window in a bid to avoid both the intense heat and the monsoon season.

"This year, IPL started around the March 29th (28th), and it was over by May 31. Only thing which we are discussing is that during the fag end of the tournament after May 15...there is apprehension of having rainfall or pre-monsoon season starting. On the other hand, there is hot weather which is not very conducive either for the players or for the crowds," Saikia had said to PTI.

"So therefore, there is a discussion going on in BCCI as well as in our IPL Governing Council regarding whether we can start the tournament a little bit earlier than the fag end of March," he added.

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