New Delhi: For quite some time now, there have been ongoing discussions within the Indian Premier League regarding an increase in both the number of matches and the participating teams. Currently, only 10 teams compete in this tournament. These teams play a total of 74 matches amongst themselves, including the final. The league was inaugurated in 2008; at that time, a total of 8 teams participated.
Subsequently, in 2022, two new teams were added, bringing the total count to 10. However, speculations are now rife that the IPL might expand to include 12 teams. Clarifying the situation, Indian Premier League Chairman Arun Dhumal outlined the BCCI’s plans and explained why such an expansion has not yet materialised. He also explicitly stated that, eventually, 95 matches—instead of the current 74—would be played. The implication is clear: the duration of the IPL window will also need to be extended.
When Will the Number of Teams and Matches Increase?
Speaking to the *Financial Times*,IPL Chairman Arun Dhumal stated that the league requires a larger window to transition from 74 matches to 94. Decisions regarding bilateral series for the current Future Tours Programme (FTP) cycle have already been finalised; consequently, there is currently no additional room available in the schedule.
Furthermore, the available time window is limited to the period between mid-March and the end of May. As soon as June arrives, the monsoon season sets in across southern India, making it impossible to schedule matches during that period.
“If we were to attempt to accommodate 94 matches—up from the current 74—within the existing window, the frequency of days featuring two matches would increase significantly. This is not ideal for the broadcasters, whose interests we must also safeguard. For this reason, we have currently restricted ourselves to 74 matches.”
The Reason Why the Number of IPL Teams Cannot Be Increased Right Now
Arun Dhumal stated that when discussions commence regarding the next cycle of bilateral series, efforts will be made to carve out a larger window for the IPL. He remarked,“We will strive to secure a larger window so that 94 matches—instead of the current 74—can be played.”
“It is for this very reason that we are not currently considering an increase in the number of participating teams.” The number of matches could be increased even with the current number of teams. If more teams are introduced, calculating the schedule based on a ‘home and away’ format would become an extremely difficult task.