IPL 2025: Indian Premier League chairman Arun Dhumal has indicated that in the future IPL can be a 94-match tournament, in which teams will get a chance to play more matches. BCCI is seriously considering this subject. Talks are also going on with the ICC about this. There was a plan to take it to 84 matches in this season, but it could not be implemented.

IPL 2025: IPL chairman Arun Dhumal said the BCCI is seriously considering expanding the league to a 94-match home-and-away format from the next media rights cycle, which will take place in 2028. The IPL currently has a 74-match format after Gujarat Titans (GT) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) enter the fray in 2022. "Certainly, this could be an opportunity. We are discussing at the ICC, we are discussing in-house at the BCCI. Given how the interest of fans is changing with respect to franchise cricket and T20 cricket with respect to bilateral and ICC events. We have to talk about it more seriously and see how we can create maximum value for the stakeholders of the game," Dhumal said. IPL can become 94 match tournament in future BCCI gives a big update on new teams

The tournament will be of 94 matches

Dhumal told ESPNcricinfo on Monday, "Ideally, we want a bigger window, maybe go from 74 to 84 or 94. So that every team gets a chance to play against every team in home and away matches, for that you need 94 matches." There were talks about increasing the IPL to 84 matches for the current season, but it was delayed due to the busy schedule. He said, "Given the timelines and commitments we have with regard to bilateral cricket and ICC events, it may not be possible in the short term. But given the scenario, how it is changing and evolving over the last few years, maybe at some point we consider and adopt this option."

This time the plan was to go for 84 matches

Dhumal said, 'A lot of cricket has been played. We came back from Australia after playing the Test series, we played the Champions Trophy and apart from that we also have the IPL. So it was decided that it is not appropriate to go from 74 to 84 (in 2025), but whenever we feel that the time is right, we will take this decision. ' Dhumal also revealed that there are no plans to bring new IPL teams. He said, 'Ten teams is a good number for now. The interest in the tournament and the quality of cricket we play is most important. I don't see any possibility in the short term. Going forward, we will take a decision according to how this whole scenario develops. '

RCB is a strong contender for the trophy this time

Dhumal said that it would be great to become the champion for the first time in IPL this year. Delhi Capitals (DC), Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have not won the IPL trophy yet and are strong contenders to enter the playoffs. He said, 'Every year, it is growing. We are very happy that the fans have liked this tournament so much and the broadcast numbers and the number of spectators in the stadium are all phenomenal. We are looking forward to continuing it as a special edition, the 18th edition. We are sure that it will continue to grow the way it has been growing in the last 17 years.'

Dhumal wants to see new teams become winners

Dhumal said, 'Of course, I would like someone to lift the trophy this year who has never won the tournament. DC has performed exceptionally well in the last few years, but they have not won. Punjab Kings made it to the final once and RCB has also performed well sometimes. If some of these teams compete against each other in the final, we will definitely know that we will have a new winner. Then I will be very happy for the tournament.'