The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is considering that the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season will feature an expanded format of 84 matches. This decision aligns with the media rights and sponsorship contracts, which stipulate an increase in the number of matches for the upcoming seasons.
Contractual Obligations and Player Welfare
While the 84-match format is part of the BCCI’s contractual obligations, the board is actively considering the potential impact on player workload. BCCI Secretary Jay Shah acknowledged this concern, stating, “Nothing is confirmed. We will collectively decide. We’ve to factor in the workload of the players and the window also. It’s in the contract but it is up to the BCCI to decide.”
Shah emphasized that the final decision on the number of matches rests with the BCCI, despite the contractual provisions. The board is committed to ensuring a balance between fulfilling its media rights agreements and prioritizing player welfare.
Broadcaster and Franchise Perspectives
The decision to expand the IPL to 84 matches has garnered mixed reactions from stakeholders. According to sources, Star India and Viacom18, the current IPL TV and digital rights owners, favour a 74-match format. They argue that an 84-match tournament could lead to viewer fatigue and make ad monetization more challenging, especially considering the slowdown in media ad spends on IPL over the last two years despite rising viewership.
On the other hand, IPL franchises prefer an 84-match format, as they believe it will boost their revenue by providing more matches to sell. However, the BCCI is committed to taking a decision after consulting with all stakeholders, ensuring that the interests of both broadcasters and franchises are considered.
Infrastructure Development and Player Development
Alongside the discussions surrounding the IPL format, the BCCI is actively investing in cricket infrastructure. The new National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru, set to be inaugurated next month, will feature state-of-the-art facilities, including three grounds and 100 pitches, 45 of which will be indoor turfs.
The BCCI is also developing academies in all the states of the North-East region and Jammu, emphasizing the importance of nurturing talent across the country. Shah stated, “It’s simple. They have got full membership and they are part of the country. Opportunity is their right and it is our responsibility too.”
Stay updated with all the cricketing action, follow Cricadium on WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Telegram, and Instagram
![Angry Virat Kohli vents his frustration on water boxes after another cheap dismissal in Pune Test [WATCH]](https://i1.wp.com/cricxtasy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Untitled-design-29.png?w=380&resize=380,220&ssl=1 "Angry Virat Kohli vents his frustration on water boxes after another cheap dismissal in Pune Test [WATCH]")
