Shah assures extended 10-week window for IPL
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New Delhi: The Board of Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Jay Shah promised that the Indian Premier League (IPL) would have an extended 10-week window in the next ICC Future Programme Callender. He claimed that the tournament benefits all and subsequently received a positive response from the ICC and other member cricket boards, Reuters reported.
"Let me assure you there will be a two-and-a-half-month window in the next ICC FTP (Future Tours Programme) calendar so that all top international players can participate," Reuters quotes Shah. This will allow the world's frontline cricketers to take part in the mega Indian event.
Shah, however, said there are no plans to add more teams and opined that such additions would decline the tournament's quality.
Jay Shah's statement comes after Pakistan's cricket board announced that it would appeal against the BCCI move at ICC.
Dismissing arguments that expanding the IPL window would disrupt India's commitment to international cricket, Shah said, "The BCCI remains committed to international cricket, and it's not just the marquee series like India v England or India v Australia. We want to design a comprehensive calendar where we aim to help associate nations with consistent and regular bilateral tours," Reuters quoted .
The tournament, which runs for more than two months, plays 74 matches a season. This will reach 94 in 2027. ICC is expected to table the 2024-2031 FTP calendar in July.
BCCI, the world's richest cricket board, saw a turnover of $6.2 billion this month after the broadcast rights for the next five years were sold. In the 2022 season, the tournament introduced two new teams, Gujarat Titans and Lucknow Super Giants. The former had beat former champion Rajasthan Royals to win the trophy in its debut season.