Picture Credit: BCCI/IPL
The latest buzz around the Indian Premier League is with regards to its 2022 edition. While the remainder of the 2021 season is set to pan out in the United Arab Emirates, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) officials have already started preparing for the 2022 season. It is now certain that more teams will compete in the T20 tournament from IPL 2022. Although this will directly result in the increase in the number of matches, the organisers are still not ready for a 94-match window. However, they are looking at a 74-match format that will see the IPL window expanding to 60 days.
This suggests that the tournament will go back to the same format it had adopted in 2011 which was when ten teams had taken part implying that instead of the current format of all teams playing each other twice, the teams will be divided into two groups of five teams. While all 5 teams in the group will play each other twice in an home and away system, they will face four teams in the other group once and the fifth team twice in home and away games.
Not ready for 94 matches yet: BCCI official
“We are not ready for 94 matches yet. Our broadcasters are not ready. There are issues around overseas player availability and finding a suitable window. We will consider a bigger window in future years,” said a BCCI official as quoted by Hindustan Times.
It should be highlighted that the given format is just tabled and proposed and is yet to be passed by the IPL Governing Council.
What's in it for BCCI?
Notably, if the new format is ratified and adopted, it will help the board bring in additional revenue of INR 800 crore for additional 14 matches from the current broadcasters Star Sports. Moreover, it is being reported that the richest cricket governing body in the world will earn an approximate INR 2000 crore with the sale of two new franchises.