The chairperson of the Indian Premier League, Arun Singh Dhumal, shared that there could possibly be a discussion on the bilateral calendar after 2027 to envision if there’s any option for the Indian Premier League to have an extended window as well.
Notably, 74 matches happen within the IPL currently, and after adding two latest teams (Lucknow Super Giants and Gujarat Titans), all teams don’t get to play one another twice within the league phase as well. Meanwhile, Dhumal also stated that there isn’t enough space now for the tournament to go from a 74-match to a 94-match tournament as well.
“If you happen to have a look at the transition over the previous couple of years, there is unquestionably less interest in some bilateral games,” Dhumal said in an interview with The Financial Times. “That’s the reason countries are coming up with their very own leagues: the England and Wales Cricket Board’s The Hundred, Australia’s Big Bash League, the UAE’s International League T20, South Africa’s SA20 and the Caribbean Premier League.”
“If that is the trend, then every country will want fewer bilaterals, or bilaterals that make more financial sense for them, after which there’s scope to enlarge the IPL window. We hope for more discussions with all of the countries and colleagues. If that works out, it should work out for everybody,” he further added.
“It [the bilateral calendar] is sensible, and it’s already locked until 2027. But once they plan post-2027, we can have discussions. The IPL will not be only adding value to India and Indian players; it’s adding value to world cricket at large. So all these players would want more. Hopefully, once we choose the subsequent cycle, we are going to find a way to carve out a much bigger window so we are able to extend it beyond 74,” he shared again.
He further stated, “There are different possibilities. One is reducing some bilaterals. One other is carving out a window elsewhere. In case we get some windows during September or October, when you might have the tip of the English season and before the beginning of the Australian season, then if we have now a couple of days available there, we are able to extend at the moment. So all those possibilities might be worked out and whatever works best, we are going to do.”
“Cricket has to grow across the globe” – Arun Singh Dhumal
While stating that the BCCI’s focus was not only on Indian cricket, but on global cricket, Arun Singh Dhumal said that the exclusion of Mustafizur Rahman from the KKR team was ‘unlucky’ as well. Dhumal also shared that the IPL’s central sponsorship portfolio is now price about INR 850 crore a yr as well.
“There may be numerous investor interest [in the IPL], since the type of return on investment the IPL has given is outstanding. However it wouldn’t occur unless we have now a much bigger window. The larger picture needs to be what number of bilaterals, what number of International Cricket Council events and what windows can be found for these leagues. It will not be only in regards to the IPL, but in addition The Hundred, the Big Bash and other leagues. In case these leagues are to be held recurrently, that’s the latest world order for cricket: fewer bilaterals, more league cricket, and in between you might have ICC events, a bit like football,” he claimed.
Arun Singh Dhumal also added that there was no immediate decision to be taken to expand the variety of teams within the Women’s Premier League as well, but in addition added that discussions have taken place to maneuver IPL outside India as well.
“We now have discussed it persistently, however the calendar is tight with bilaterals, leagues and ICC events, so there will not be much scope. But whatever works within the interest of world cricket at large, we are going to take a call keeping that in mind. If it helps cricket grow and reach more countries, and have a wider footprint, we are able to have a look at it. Cricket is becoming a part of the Olympics at Los Angeles in 2028, and we hope that can be a giant boost,” he added.
“Cricket has to grow across the globe. If it will not be going through bilaterals and it goes through leagues, then I’m pleased that franchise owners who’re earning money within the cycle are taking responsibility to assist those leagues too. If the BCCI is seen as a pacesetter in cricket, then it is nice that franchise owners are participating, adding value and helping create talent in those countries,” Arun Singh Dhumal concluded.
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