Picture Credit: Twitter/BCCI
The Indian Premier League (IPL) has rapidly grown in reputation and is now considered one of the top sporting leagues in the world. But if the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is to believed, they aim to make it the world's biggest sporting league. The same was mentioned by the new IPL chairman Arun Dhumal who succeeded Brijesh Patel.
Sharing his views on the BCCI's decision to not allow Indian players to participate in foreign leagues, Dhumal said that the Board will stick to the decision for now as it has been taken, keeping in mind the overall well-being of the players.
"This in principle is the decision of BCCI that our contracted players can't go and play for other leagues. As it is there is so much of cricket happening. Keeping in mind their overall well-being that decision has been taken. As of now we stick to that decision," Dhumal said in a PTI interview.
"The IPL will be much bigger than what it is and will be the number one sports league in the world," Dhumal stated in the same interaction.
"IPL should be a value-for-money experience for the fans"
In addition, Dhumal acknowledged that it is the fans who make the IPL what it is and shared that there are plans being made to enhance the viewing experience for the biggest stakeholders.
"We are definitely looking at various innovations that can be brought to make it more fan-friendly. For those who are watching it on TV and those who are experiencing at the stadium, we want them to have a better experience."
"If we can make the IPL schedule well in advance, people from all around the world can plan their travel accordingly. It should be a value-for-money experience for the fans," he further added.
IPL to remain a 10-team tournament, matches could go up to 94
In another major update, the IPL chairman said that while the number of teams will remain at 10 for now, the number of matches will gradually increase and it may reach 94 games per season.
"Teams will stay at 10 only. If you increase that, it becomes difficult to have the tournament in one go. We are looking at 74 games to begin with for the first two seasons, then 84 and if things permit may be 94 in the fifth year of the media rights cycle, that itself would make it a long enough event," Dhumal said.
(With inputs from PTI)
