BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia has dismissed recent media reports regarding an IPL expansion to 12 teams by 2028, labeling them as baseless speculation.
Speaking to PTI, Saikia emphasized that the board's immediate priority is hosting the 20th edition of the tournament in 2027, rather than planning structural changes for future cycles.
His remarks directly countered the reports suggesting the BCCI was considering adding two new franchises, potentially in Pune and Vadodara, to align with the 2028–2032 media rights cycle.
"We have neither discussed, formally nor informally, the possibility of the IPL becoming a 12-team affair in 2028. It is not within our scope at this stage," Saikia told the news agency.
"We are concerned about the IPL in 2027, which will be the tournament's 20th edition. It will be a big affair. Our focus is on that, and we are not considering anything beyond it at this stage," Saikia said.
"Whatever news is circulating in the media, I think these are all speculative reports born out of fertile imaginations. I have no comments to offer regarding them. There is no sanctity to those reports," he clarified.
Saikia also denied rumors of an imminent increase in the franchise salary purse from Rs 125 crore to Rs 150 crore. He noted that the next auction on December 16 is a regular mini-auction marking the final year of the current cycle, and any purse adjustments will only be evaluated ahead of next year's mega auction.
"There is nothing of that sort regarding an increase in the salary purse. The mega auction will take place sometime next year. This year, it will not be a mega auction. Our auction is scheduled for December 16, which will be the final year of the current cycle. Thereafter, we will take a call," he said.
Moreover, Saikia declined to comment on recent suggestions—such as a proposal from Kolkata Knight Riders co-owner Juhi Chawla—to move the IPL window to January, reiterating that the board is strictly focused on hosting the March 2027 tournament.
"We are focused on hosting the 2027 IPL, which is scheduled to begin in March 2027. That's all," he concluded.
(With PTI Inputs)
