IPL 2026 is happening while both Tamil Nadu and West Bengal are in the midst of assembly elections and doubts are being raised over the scheduling on significant polling days.
There is a one-phase polling across all 234 constituencies in Tamil Nadu and for West Bengal the election has started in eight phases with first of these to cover 152 constituencies.
In the midst of all this, issues have been raised over the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) continuing with IPL games on important voting days. Former India spinner Laxman Sivaramakrishnan took to social media to question the decision.
Sivaramakrishnan Questions Priority
Sivaramakrishnan pointed out that the cricket board could have avoided matches on the polling day, especially with players from Tamil Nadu needing to cast their votes. He said that elections are much more important than cricket as they have long-term implications.
The former Indian spinner wrote on X.
"BCCI should not have had a game today. They should have allowed all the Tamil Nadu based players to vote. IPL comes every year. Elections which comes once in 5 years to determine the future of the state and country should be given more importance,"
His statement has caused quite a stir among the fans, He also went on to express his confusion over the planning
He Wrote on follow-up tweet
"Or did they think no Tamil Nadu players in CSK, we will have an off day for other teams in which TN players are playing, to go to Chennai to vote, I am confused."
Focus Shifts to MI vs CSK Clash
Even with the criticism, IPL 2026 continues its proceedings without any changes. A blockbuster encounter between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings will be held on April 23 at the Wankhede Stadium, and this contest is often labeled as the 'El Clasico' of the IPL due to the history of matches between the two sides.
Both teams are having an abysmal season and are placed in the lower half of the points table. An encounter like this will go a long way in helping either team gain some much-needed momentum. This game could also see the absence of two of the biggest names in world cricket in MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma, though both could be available.