IPL 2024: Schedule, Hazlewood's absence, auction, captaincy change, female auctioneer, and debut players

The IPL 2024 season is likely to be held from March 22 to the end of May, with the final schedule dependent on the dates of India's general elections. Australian player Josh Hazlewood will be unavailable until the first week of May due to the expected birth of his child. England's Rehan Ahmed has withdrawn from the auction to avoid spending too much time away from home at a young age. Sri Lanka has made all its key white-ball players available, while Bangladesh's Taskin Ahmed and Shoriful Islam will not be available due to national team commitments. Ireland's Josh Little will be available for the entire season, missing international matches against Bangladesh, Pakistan, Netherlands, and Scotland. Other countries, including Afghanistan, New Zealand, South Africa, West Indies, and Zimbabwe, have made their players fully available for IPL 2024 if they are bought at the auction.