In an interview with PTI, new IPL chairman Arun Dhumal discussed his long-term plans for the league, why there can’t be more than 10 teams, and why the BCCI will maintain its steadfast stance against allowing Indian players to play in foreign leagues. Dhumal sees cricket’s premier T20 tournament becoming the biggest sporting league in the world in the next five years.
IPL is now the second most expensive athletic league in the world in terms of the value of a single match after media rights for the 2023–2027 cycle brought in an astounding Rs 48,390 crore. The IPL is set to have a two and a half month exclusive window with a maximum of 94 games with 10 clubs, even though it has a far shorter window than American football leagues like the NFL or the EPL.
According to Dhumal, ongoing innovation is essential, and there is no reason why the IPL can’t grow to be the biggest sports league on the planet. “The IPL will be much bigger than what it is and will be the number one sports league in the world,” Dhumal told PTI when asked about how the BCCI plans to raise the bar for the crown jewel of Indian cricket. The IPL’s growth has mostly been driven by its fans, and according to Dhumal, there are measures in place to significantly enhance their viewing experience.
“We are definitely looking at various innovations that can be brought to make it more fan friendly. For those who are watching it on Tv and those who are experiencing at the stadium, we want them to have a better experience. “If we can make the IPL schedule well in advance, people from all around the world can plan their travel accordingly. It should be a value for money experience for the fans,” he said.