The Indian Premier League (IPL) has gone from strength to strength since its inception in 2008 and has become the most popular T20 league in world cricket. At a time when T20 cricket has emerged as the most popular form of the game, cricket pundits reckon that day is not far where cricket fans will get to see two IPL seasons in a year.
Cricketers-turned-experts Aakash Chopra and Ravi Shastri shared their views on the possibility of two IPL seasons in a year.
“I actually foresee there might be two editions of the IPL in every calendar year. And that’s not too far away.” Chopra said on ESPNCricinfo.
Shastri, whose tenure as Team India coach ended last year, said there was a strong possibility where there could be two IPL seasons of 70 matches each within the same calendar year.
“It could be tomorrow – 140 games, split 70-70. In two seasons. You never know. That’s the way it’s going to go. That’s the way it’s developed as a beast of a property. And you cannot hide away from that,” Shastri said.
With the addition of two new teams to IPL’s roster, while the number of matches increased in IPL 2022, Shastri said what looks like an overdose won’t be one given the popularity of the sport in India.
“You might think that’s overdose, but nothing is overdose in India. I have been sitting outside the bubble, I have been watching people, how they have seen, how they have reviewed these last few months, especially [after coming] out of Covid. And they are loving every bit of it, and they are almost having withdrawal symptoms,” Shastri added.
The broadcasting and media rights for IPL’s new five-year cycle will be up for grabs in June where several big names are expected to join the race with whopping bids.
