Jay Shah speaks about IPL 2025 potentially having 84 matches
While the relevance of the mega auction has been a burning question in the lead-up to the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, the BCCI is also mulling an expansion of the tournament to 84 matches instead of 74 which were held in the last three seasons each.
Some of the teams that have assembled strong are against the idea of having a mega auction ahead of IPL 2025. However, other teams who are unhappy with their squads want the mega auction to orchestrate a revamp. BCCI secretary Jay Shah asserted that both majority and minority voices will be given equal importance and the cricket governing body will make the final decision.
“We’ve heard the views of all the franchises. For us a minority view is as important as the majority opinion. Ultimately the office-bearers (of the BCCI) will decide. Those who have a good side said there is no need for the big auction and those without a good side wanted the big auction,” Shah was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.
Shah, however, hinted that the mega auction might not be completely scrapped. “Continuity is important as shuffling, for the growth of the game,” he said.
Another important topic of discussion is the possibility of increasing the number of matches in IPL 2025 to 84. The cash-rich league welcomed two new teams – Gujarat Titans and Lucknow Super Giants ahead of IPL 2022. However, the number of matches in the tournament didn’t increase proportionally ((based on the home and away format, ideally there should be 94 matches including the playoffs and the final). However, given a packed international calendar, workload of players, and limited window, it could become a challenge.
“Nothing is confirmed. We will collectively decide. We’ve to factor in the workload of the players and the window also. It’s in the contract but it is up to the BCCI to decide,” Shah said.
The BCCI is also pondering the feasibility of adding a sixth team in the Women’s Premier League, depending upon the availability of adequate players.
Meanwhile, BCCI has also suggested that ICC create a fund dedicated to the longest format of the game as it’s quite expensive to organise a Test match.
“I am a member of F&CA (Finance and Commercial Affairs) of the ICC. I have suggested there should be a dedicated fund for Test cricket. It’s very expensive to host Test matches. If the (ICC) Board approves, we can do that. We’re trying to create a special fund for Test cricket,” Shah said.
