BCCI eyes massive expansion in IPL by 2028 season

Ahead of the start of the 18th edition of the Indian Premier League, there were reports suggesting that the governing council was aiming to expand the window. However, the window for IPL 2025 remained unchanged with 74 matches spread over two months, set till the cycle's conclusion in 2027. The world's biggest T20 league previously expanded in the 2022 season when two more teams, Gujarat Titans and Lucknow Super Giants, joined the roster. The number of matches increased from 60 to 74 as the ten teams were divided into groups of two to set the league stage schedule. Now, the latest reports suggest that another expansion is on the horizon, set to launch in action in IPL 2028.

BCCI plans to introduce home-and-away format with 94 matches in IPL from the 2028 season

The IPL chairman, Arun Dhumal, in his latest interaction, confirmed that the council is planning to expand the IPL schedule in the near future. The governing council is in lieu to feature 94 matches from the currently set 74 fixtures. Moreover, IPL 2028 will adapt to the home and away fixture, where every team will play another team twice. However, the IPL chair updated that there is no vision to add any more teams into the mix. Dhumal talked about discussing the plans with BCCI and ICC as well.

"Ideally, we'd want a larger window, or to maybe go on from 74 to 84 or 94 at some point… So that every team gets to play against every team home and away, for that, you need 94 games. Given the window and the kind of commitments that we have with regards to bilateral cricket and ICC events, that may not be possible in the short term. But given the landscape, how it is changing and evolving over the years, maybe at some point in time we would look and take that option," he added.

The IPL chair talked about the audience's interest in the league and how there's a window to seek optimum uses of the engagement. The scenario in T20 cricket has shaped swiftly to focus on franchise cricket. At the back of IPL, several nations have built their respective leagues, with many Indian stakeholders moving overseas to appoint teams in leagues like the SA20. For the stakeholders to enjoy increased returns here as well, the expansion in the schedule would be the way to go further. However, Dhumal cleared the decision behind not adding any teams.

"Definitely, that might be an opportunity. We've been discussing in ICC, we've been discussing in-house in BCCI. Given how the interest of the fan is changing with regard to bilateral and ICC events, in regard to franchise cricket and T20 cricket, we'll have to talk more seriously about it and see how we can create maximum value for the stakeholders of the game," Dhumal told.

"Ten is a good number for now. Paramount is the interest in the tournament and the quality of cricket that we play… I don't see any scope in the short term. Going forward, with how this whole landscape evolves, we'll take a call accordingly," said Dhumal.

Moreover, the IPL chairman talked about why the expansion did not shape up in the IPL 2025-27 cycle. While there is no plan to add any further teams into the mix, IPL 2025 was touted to feature additional matches. However, Dhumal explained that the Indian team came from a busy schedule and was placed in the midst of important international assignments. The Indian Cricket Team quickly regrouped for the India vs England white-ball series upon their return from Australia after the Border Gavaskar Trophy. Immediately after the England series, India headed to Dubai for the ICC Champions Trophy. After a brief window following their title victory, the players joined their respective franchises for IPL 2025.

"There's been so much cricket: we came back from Australia from a Test series, we had this Champions Trophy, and on top of that we have this IPL. That is why it was decided that it doesn't make sense from going from 74 to 84 [in 2025], but whenever we think that the time is opportune, we'll take that call."