NEW DELHI: Nearing two decades of existence, the brand IPL has become stronger than ever and doesn’t see any threat from the growing number of T20 leagues globally, its chairman Arun Dhumal said on Saturday as he steered clear of the speculation surrounding an event backed by Saudi Arabia.
Speaking to PTI as the league enters its 18th edition, Dhumal expressed support for the rise of T20 leagues globally, particularly in uncharted territories like Saudi Arabia, Europe, and the USA. He believes this growth will ultimately benefit the game in anticipation of cricket’s inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
“There is no point discussing something on the basis of speculation. There is nothing on the table for discussion with everyone (all stakeholders). And as far as my knowledge goes, there is no infrastructure as of now in Saudi Arabia that can cater to a tournament of this scale,” said Dhumal. He emphasized that the conversation should not revolve around speculative stories.
While plenty has been reported in international media about the oil-rich Saudi Arabia’s foray into cricket over the last two years, nothing concrete has materialized from those speculations. However, it is worth noting that Saudi Arabia has previously sponsored the IPL and hosted the mega auction last year. Now, there is renewed chatter surrounding a tennis Grand Slam-styled league funded by the Arab giant, but concrete details are still awaited.
No Threat from Other Leagues
The IPL is estimated to be valued at over USD 12 billion, making it the second most valued sporting league in the world in terms of per match revenue, trailing only the NFL in the United States. Given this context, no other cricket league currently poses a threat to the IPL. In fact, IPL owners have been expanding their footprint by investing in leagues organized by foreign boards, including CPL, SA20, MLC, ILT20, and most recently, The Hundred in the UK.
“The idea of getting cricket into the Olympics is that the game grows through the length and breadth of the globe. It is good that more leagues are taking shape, and we don’t see anybody as a threat,” said Dhumal. He added, “We would want to ensure that more and more games happen across different territories, the newer territories. Whether it is Saudi, America, or Europe, it doesn’t matter. Nobody can stop anybody, and we would not want to stop anyone. We will only focus on strengthening our tournament and our property.”
Ban for Last-Minute Pullouts Justified
In the lead-up to this year’s IPL, England star Harry Brook was handed a two-year ban for pulling out of his contract with Delhi Capitals, causing quite a stir. Dhumal defended the sanction, which sparked considerable debate. “Teams pick players at auction with a particular strategy in mind. If a player withdraws from the tournament without a genuine reason, it changes the entire gameplan and affects the tournament,” he clarified. The two-year suspension will include the season from which a player has withdrawn.
On the varied opinions surrounding the Impact Player Rule, Dhumal added, “The response we received from fans and broadcasters was very positive. It has elevated the standard of the game. Keeping that in mind, we have extended it until 2027. Regarding the development of Indian all-rounders, the IPL has raised the benchmark for quality bowlers and batters, ensuring an increase in the standard for all-rounders as well.”
Lifting of Saliva Ban Will Give Leeway to Bowlers
Revoking a five-year-old ban on saliva and introducing new technologies this season align with IPL’s vision to improve each season, Dhumal noted. “…we took feedback from all the captains, and they wanted this lifted, given that it gives some leeway to bowlers in what is predominantly a batters’ game,” he stated.
Dhumal further explained that introducing DRS for height and off-stump wides, as well as allowing the use of two balls in the second innings to counter the dew factor, is vital: “The quality of the game improves with the fairness of the game. As technology advances, it helps in making the best decisions.”
IPL on Track to be World’s Biggest Sporting League
To rival the popularity and value of leagues like the NFL, NBA, and the English Premier League, the IPL requires a much bigger window than the current two-month period it operates in. Since bilateral series and ICC events remain significant to the game, extending the IPL’s duration remains challenging, at least until the 2031 cycle. Dhumal indicated that when a larger window becomes available, it would allow for more games and an extended tournament duration.
“If you ask from the players’ perspective, this is the one tournament no player in the world would want to miss. If there is a bigger window and more games, it benefits everyone,” said Dhumal. He stressed that the IPL must continue to innovate to maintain its supremacy while enhancing the fan experience.
“The fan is at the heart of any sport. Our goal is to solidify IPL’s position as the world’s premier sporting league. Our efforts reflect in the consistent viewership records broken in India, alongside the significant surge in viewership across the UK, USA, Australia, Malaysia, and the Middle East. With a shift toward club cricket and many leagues emulating the IPL model, the IPL must continue to lead for all other leagues to follow.”
PTI