NEW DELHI: Freshly minted Indian Premier League chairman Arun Singh Dhumal has reiterated the Indian board’s long held monopolistic stance that active Indian male cricketers contracted with the BCCI would not be allowed to compete in any of the T20 leagues that have sprung up across the globe in the wake of the super success of the IPL.
Speaking to the news agency PTI, Dhumal said, “This in principle is the decision of BCCI that our contracted players can’t go and play for other leagues. As it is there is so much of cricket happening. Keeping in mind their overall well-being (seriously?) that decision has been taken. As of now we stick to that decision.”
Dhumal further asserted that the IPL is working at improving the overall experience of the viewers, both in the stadiums and those watching from their homes.
“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 added.
Dhumal said that the number of teams will be restricted to 10 but the BCCI is planning to increase the number of matches over the course of the upcoming 5-year cycle. With two new teams introduced, the 2022 edition of the IPL had 74 matches (70 league games + 4 playoff matches) with each team playing a total of 14 group stage games. However, according to Dhumal, the number is set to increase by 10 matches in the third and fourth year and 20 more (94 matches) in the fifth year.
“Teams will stay at 10 only. If you increase that, it becomes difficult to have the tournament in one go. We are looking at 74 games to begin with for the first two seasons, then 84 and if things permit may be 94 in the fifth year of the media rights cycle, that itself would make it a long enough event.”
“We can’t compare ourselves to football and other sporting leagues around the world as the requirement in cricket is totally different. You can’t play on the same pitches for six months,” Dhumal added.
Dhumal also reiterated the Indian board’s long held monopolistic stance that active Indian male cricketers contracted with the BCCI would not be allowed to compete in any of the T20 leagues that have sprung up across the globe in the wake of the super success of the IPL.
The preparations for the 16th edition of the IPL have already begun as the franchises will name their retention list on November 15 and gear up for the mini-auction next month.
