The IPL could eventually be played across two separate windows in the cricket calendar as the BCCI evaluates ways to expand the tournament beyond its current structure, with league chairman Arun Dhumal indicating that discussions are underway around scheduling flexibility, broadcaster preferences, and weather-related concerns. Speaking to Sportstar, Dhumal said the board is considering alternative calendar slots alongside a potential increase in matches as the IPL continues to grow commercially and competitively across global cricket.
BCCI evaluating additional IPL windows
The IPL currently occupies close to two months of the international calendar, with the tournament operating in a March-to-May slot. However, rising temperatures during the latter stages of the season and the possibility of expanding the competition further have prompted internal discussions around whether the league could eventually be split across different parts of the year.
Dhumal said broadcaster discussions would play a major role in any scheduling decision as the BCCI evaluates future bilateral commitments and advertising opportunities. “We need to sit across and speak to the broadcaster for their opinion on whether the tournament can be moved to another window. One suggestion was a window in September-October. That is the best time from an advertiser point of view because it is just before Diwali. We will look at that when the next bilateral tender comes into play, in case we can find a window there.”
The BCCI is also examining whether portions of the tournament could be staged earlier in the year to avoid extreme heat conditions that have increasingly affected venues during May. Dhumal noted that any long-term adjustment would require coordination with other cricket boards because of the IPL’s influence on international scheduling and player availability.
“Weather is another challenge that we are facing now with May getting very hot. We are also looking if we can find a window from February to April and then later in the year. We have to do what is best for the game because IPL does not impact only the BCCI, it impacts all other cricket boards and players who play across the globe. We will sit across with all our friends from other countries and find what works best for this tournament and cricket globally.”
Expansion plans linked to 94-game structure
The IPL expanded to 10 franchises in 2022, though teams currently play 14 league matches each rather than a full balanced home-and-away schedule. The existing format includes seven home games and seven away games per team, leaving the league short of a complete round-robin structure.
Dhumal said logistical pressures and international cricket commitments have so far prevented the tournament from expanding to 94 matches, though that remains part of the league’s longer-term thinking if additional calendar space becomes available.
“The format is home and away now, too. But as of now, there are only seven home and seven away games. Ideally, in a 10-team format, you should have nine home and nine away. Logistical challenges and the commitment given to bilateral matches are the reason we haven’t made it nine each. Going forward, in case a bigger window permits little more leeway to have two more weeks added, we will certainly look at increasing the number of games from 74 to 94 so that there is equal opportunity at home and away.”
Any expansion in league-stage fixtures could also reopen discussions around the IPL playoff system, which currently rewards the top two teams with an additional chance to reach the final through Qualifier 1.
Dhumal said the league has received suggestions around possible structural changes as the competition continues to mature. “I think the teams work very hard over two-and-a-half months to get to the top of the table. If they have one bad day and exit the competition, then it doesn’t make sense. We have had suggestions coming in, especially considering that the teams playing the Eliminator don’t win the tournament often (only SRH in 2016). Some have also suggested playing a best of three final. When the league further matures from 74 to 94 games, if that is the best way forward for the game, then we will definitely look at that.”
IPL audience growth remains strong
The discussion around a longer IPL calendar comes amid continued confidence from the league and its broadcast partners around audience demand, despite concerns in some quarters about viewer fatigue as the tournament expands further.
Dhumal rejected suggestions that the IPL’s television reach had weakened this season and pointed to growth in overall consumption across regional broadcasting platforms.
“I do not know where that report came from. According to the latest media report that came from the broadcaster, the audience has grown vis-a-vis the previous year in terms of total consumption. The regional channels have worked very well in improving our reach along every nook and corner of the country. The broadcaster is very happy with how the league has performed this year.”
Any future move toward a split-window IPL or an expanded 94-match season would require alignment across broadcasters, franchises, players, and international cricket boards, making calendar negotiations a central part of the league’s next phase of growth.
