The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is unlikely to increase the number of matches in the Indian Premier League (IPL). According to a report in ESPNCricinfo on Thursday, the 2025 edition of the world’s richest franchise cricket team will also have a total of 74 matches. The number is 10 less than the 84 matches listed by IPL in 2022 when the media rights for the 2023–27 cycle were sold.
In the tender document for the new rights cycle, the IPL had listed a varying number of matches per season, ranging from 74 games each in 2023 and 2024, 84 matches each in 2025 and 2026, and a maximum of 94 matches for the final year of the deal in 2027.
As per the report, the main reason for not increasing the number of matches is player workload management. India, which sits at No. 1 position in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 points, is all set to play a five-match Test series against England next year after the WTC final, which is scheduled to take place at the Lord’s. The BCCI wants to ensure that players get enough rest as part of their preparation for the WTC final if they qualify.
The 2024 edition of the IPL was played from March 22 to May 26, and it is expected that the 2025 edition will be played between mid-march and the last week of May.
“We have not taken a call on organising 84 matches in IPL 2025 since we also have to factor the load on the players due to the increase in matches,” BCCI secretary Jay Shah told the Economic Times recently. “While it’s (84 matches) part of the contract, it’s up to the BCCI to decide whether to organise 74 or 84 matches.”
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