The Indian Premier League (IPL) will have an official window from March 22 to the end of May, according to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Due to the country’s forthcoming general elections next summer, finalizing the exact dates is delayed, with the schedule reliant on the election agenda.

The Australian, South African, Afghanistan, New Zealand, and West Indies boards have made their players fully accessible, with minor or no riders, based on this information communicated to the franchisees ahead of the IPL auction in Dubai on Tuesday (December 19). However, the boards of directors in England, Ireland, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh have given conditional approval.

Except for Josh Hazlewood, most Australian players will be eligible for the IPL, which begins in the first week of May. Cricket Australia (CA) has informed the BCCI that all of its players will be available, with the exception of Hazlewood and those competing in the Sheffield Shield final. The CA has assured the BCCI that all players will be available unless injured. In terms of the Sheffield Shield final, players can choose for the IPL over the domestic event, which runs from March 21 to 25.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has stated that its players can compete in the league unless they are injured or have international commitments. The availability of English players is contingent on the completion of the ECB’s summer international schedule surrounding the Twenty20 World Cup. Rehan Ahmed has dropped out of the auction. The Twenty20 World Cup takes place in the Caribbean and the United States from June 4 to June 30.

The BCCI communication to the teams regarding the status of the English player states “ECB is prepared to make their players available for the duration of the Tournament, subject to fitness and international duty, and any periods of unavailability that players submitted on their auction applications. ECB are still in the process of finalising their schedule for the World T20 in June and if any individual players require specific management in the build-up to the World T20, Rob Key will liaise directly with the player and his franchise to make the necessary arrangements.”

Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and Cricket Ireland (CI) have only partially made their players available, but Mustafizur Rahman and Joshua Little have been granted special permissions. While the Ireland pacer has been allowed to fully participate in the league, the BCB has stated that Rahman can play from March 22 to May 11.

Sri Lanka’s second (and last) Test against Bangladesh is set for March 30 to April 3, raising concerns regarding the availability of some Sri Lankan players. However, because they do not compete in the Test format, Maheesh Theekshana, Wanindu Hasaranga, Matheesha Pathirana, and Dushmantha Chameera will be available for the entire duration of the IPL.

The BCB has also notified the BCCI that “Taskin Ahmed and Md. Shoriful Islam, who have been listed for the auction, will not be available for the IPL 2024 edition.” Only three Bangladeshi players (including Rahman) were listed in the auction registry.

Cricket South Africa (CSA), Cricket West Indies (CWI), Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB),  New Zealand Cricket (NZC), and Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) have all assured the BCCI that their players will be available during the IPL.