BCCI will reportedly have 74 games as last season in the upcoming IPL.
The build-up for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season has already begun and there have been discussions underway regarding so many things, including the number of matches.
According to a report published in ESPNCricinfo, the BCCI is unlikely to increase the number of matches in the next edition of the IPL and will have 74 games as last season.
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, IPL had mentioned varying number of matches for each season. 74 games each were listed for 2023 and 2024 while 84 matches each were supposed to be played in 2025 and 2026 editions. The tender also included 94 matches in the IPL 2027.
However, the report suggests that IPL has decided not to have 84 matches for the IPL 2025 as it will help international players to manage their workload.
Moreover, India are currently leading the World Test Championship (WTC) points table and they are favourites to make it to the final for the third consecutive time.
The BCCI reportedly wants the Indian players to have adequate rest to prepare for the all-important WTC final, slated to be held at the iconic Lord’s between June 11 and 15 next year.
Last month, BCCI Secretary Jay Shah had made a statement regarding the number of matches to be played in the IPL 2025.
"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," Shah told the Economic Times.
"While it's (84 matches) part of the contract, it's up to the BCCI to decide whether to organise 74 or 84 matches,” he added.
The IPL 2023 season was played from March 22 to May 26 whereas the WTC final between India and Australia was played from June 7, which the Rohit Sharma-led side lost at the Oval.
The report also claimed that the IPL 2025 can be held between mid-March and the last week of May.
(With ESPNCricinfo Inputs)