Need more matches in IPL, revival of Champions League, says Punjab Kings co-owner
The BCCI is exploring plans to increase number of matches to 94 from 2028, which has been disclosed by IPL chairman Arun Dhumal.
New Delhi: The Board of Control for Cricket in India should look to incorporate greater number of matches in the Indian Premier League for each team while plan to revive the defunct Champion League.
IPL stages 74 matches from March-May among 10 teams in its current format, having expanded from eight to 10 teams in 2022. Its auction is held in December.
The BCCI is exploring plans to increase number of matches to 94 from 2028, which has been disclosed by IPL chairman Arun Dhumal.
"The BCCI and everyone involved, all the franchises, all of us together, we should look back and be very proud of what has been achieved. Going forward, it would be good to have more matches, we can start with two extra games (for every team)," Wadia told PTI.
"Also, at some point, we need to look at reviving the Champions League to shorten the gap between the end of the IPL and the auction and keep that excitement alive.
"And bringing in the international exposure by having auctions in Jeddah, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi (next month), that only brings more eyeballs and gets a better connect for IPL as a brand."
Start CL again
The BCCI and other cricket boards are exploring the idea of reviving the Champions League as early as next year after it was last held in 2014.
"One would want an extension of the IPL, which I hope will happen sooner than later. As far as the Champions League is concerned, maybe it was too early at the time (back in 2014). Maybe there were things to learn from it. But I think conceptually, it's a good concept. It really makes us have more exposure," Wadia said.
"If you look at football, there's the league games, there's the international games, and then there's the championships games between the UEFA Champions League and European League, etc. But here we've got the IPL, you've got Indian cricket, and other countries that are playing, which people watch.
"If you have the Champions League, I think that triangle would be a good thing to do. But definitely, we need more matches in the IPL first."
IPL's overall brand value would increase if it is given a bigger window, Wadia added.