IPL Schedule Changed Midway Through IPL 2025, Arun Dhumal Confirms

Arun Dhumal, the IPL's chairman, has hinted that the league's number of games will increase to 94. He stated that, while more teams will not be added to the tournament, the BCCI will seriously examine implementing a full home-and-away format beginning with the next media rights cycle.

Indian Premier League the biggest

The IPL is perhaps the world's biggest franchise tournament. The league now holds 74 games per season, and its influence is such that during the window, few international games are scheduled so that all players can participate in the league.

In recent years, there has been talk of expanding the number of games to 84 in the current 2025 season. However, the plan was delayed due to a scheduling conflict surrounding the tournament's window and broadcasters' objection to too many double-headers.

We want a larger window for 84 or 94 games in IPL: Arun Dhumal

However, IPL chairman Arun Dhumal stated that the BCCI is considering increasing the tournament's number of games. He stated that they are in discussions with both the ICC and the BCCI, and that they plan to play 94 games per season, with each team playing both at home and away.

"Definitely, that might be an opportunity. We've been discussing in ICC, we've been discussing in-house in BCCI. Given how the interest of the fan is changing with regard to bilateral and ICC events, in regard to franchise cricket and T20 cricket, we'll have to talk more seriously about it and see how we can create maximum value for the stakeholders of the game."

"Ideally, we'd want a larger window, or to maybe go on from 74 to 84 or 94 at some point… So that every team gets to play against every team home and away, for that, you need 94 games,” Dhumal told ESPNCricinfo.

Arun Dhumal stated that increasing the number of games will not be viable in the short term, but they will consider it in the future. He also stated why they did not follow the 84-game format this year.

He added: “Given the window and the kind of commitments that we have with regards to bilateral cricket and ICC events, that may not be possible in the short term. But given the landscape and how it is changing and evolving over the years, maybe at some point in time, we would look and take that option.

There's been so much cricket: we came back from Australia from a Test series, we had this Champions Trophy, and on top of that, we have this IPL. That is why it was decided that it doesn't make sense to go from 74 to 84 [in 2025], but whenever we think that the time is opportune, we'll take that call."

Arun Dhumal also rejected the idea of increasing teams in the IPL, despite interest shown by various parties.

“10 is a good number”- Arun Dhumal on IPL teams

Dhumal stated that there were no plans for expansion in a number of teams as of now, and also thanked the fans for showing their love towards the league.

"Ten is a good number for now. Paramount is the interest in the tournament and the quality of cricket that we play… I don't see any scope in the short term. Going forward, with how this whole landscape evolves, we'll take a call accordingly.

"Every year, it's been growing. We are very glad how the fans have loved this tournament, and the broadcast numbers and in-stadium numbers are all phenomenal. We are hoping to carry on with this being a special edition, the 18th edition. We are very sure that it'll continue to grow in the way we've seen over the last 17 years,” Dhumal signed off.

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