New Delhi, March 10 (NationPress) Arun Dhumal, the chairman of the Indian Premier League (IPL), revealed that the tournament is currently assessing significant obstacles relating to hospitality and travel logistics as it gears up for the 2026 season. He noted, however, that no official complaints have been made by hotels or other involved parties regarding the LPG shortage.

The IPL 2026 season is slated to commence on March 28, with the schedule for the initial 20 matches expected to be released on March 12. This ten-team tournament draws elite international players, coaches, and broadcasters, making effective travel and hospitality logistics essential for its success.

Compounding the situation, the ongoing US-Israel-Iran conflict has disrupted LPG supplies, prompting the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas to prioritize cooking gas for households. As a result, commercial LPG supply to hotels and restaurants has been significantly affected, with numerous establishments in Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Chennai expressing concerns over the possibility of halting operations due to the cooking gas deficit.

"It’s definitely a challenge. However, we have not received any formal communication from hotels thus far. Should they indicate any issues, we will assess the situation accordingly. Typically, they would notify us if there were concerns regarding bookings," Dhumal explained to IANS on Tuesday. He added, "We are only hearing about this from the media at the moment, but we are actively monitoring the situation and will respond as necessary."

A widespread disruption in commercial cooking gas could have repercussions not only for the IPL but also for the broader ecosystem, affecting hospitals, NGOs, schools, and various industries.

During IPL season, many restaurants and street food vendors experience a significant surge in sales as fans prefer dining out while enjoying live match screenings. Food delivery services also see increased demand as fans opt for home delivery during IPL games.

In addition to LPG issues, travel logistics remain a concern, as evidenced by the recently concluded Men's T20 World Cup, which India won. Teams from Zimbabwe, West Indies, and South Africa faced delays in returning home due to conflicts disrupting their flight paths.

With Dubai, their primary layover hub, inaccessible due to the ongoing conflict, Zimbabwe had to depart in three separate groups, traveling home via Addis Ababa on Ethiopian Airlines. South Africa and West Indies were stranded in Kolkata until a charter flight was organized to take them back through Johannesburg.

Although airspace over Australia and New Zealand remains unaffected, it is uncertain if all foreign players, coaches, and broadcasters from the West Indies, South Africa, and England will make it to India for IPL 2026, given the current circumstances and that most typically travel via Dubai.

Dhumal confirmed that the IPL is closely monitoring travel arrangements for international players. “At this moment, we are evaluating the situation. The IPL is still a few weeks away, and we will determine the best course of action,” he added.