Arun Dhumal says that once the current FTP cycle, which runs until 2027, concludes, discussions will begin around expanding the Indian Premier League’s window and potentially increasing the number of matches from 74 to 94. Since the addition of two new franchises in 2022, coupled with a packed international calendar, not every IPL team currently faces all others twice during the league stage.
That, however, could change after 2027.
Dhumal noted that interest in certain bilateral series is declining, prompting several cricketing nations to launch their own T20 leagues.
“If you look at the transition over the last few years, there is definitely less interest in some bilateral games,” Dhumal told The Financial Times. “That is why countries are coming up with their own leagues: the England and Wales Cricket Board’s The Hundred, Australia’s Big Bash League, the UAE’s International League T20, South Africa’s SA20 and the Caribbean Premier League.”
“If this is the trend, then every country will want fewer bilaterals, or bilaterals that make more financial sense for them, and then there is scope to enlarge the IPL window. We are hoping for more discussions with all the countries and colleagues. If that works out, it should work out for everyone,” he added.
Dhumal says that the IPL’s impact extends beyond India, expressing confidence that the tournament will secure a larger window in the next cycle.
“It [the bilateral calendar] makes sense, and it is already locked until 2027. But when they plan post-2027, we will have discussions. The IPL is not only adding value to India and Indian players; it is adding value to world cricket at large. So all these players would want more. Hopefully, when we decide on the next cycle, we will be able to carve out a bigger window so we can extend it beyond 74,” he said.
