Former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri said that he wouldn’t be really surprised if there are two Indian Premier League (IPL) seasons in a year in the future, thanks to the demand for the IPL matches.
The window for the IPL matches has already been expanded, with the number of matches increasing from the next season after two franchises were added to the tournament this year.
Ravi Shastri said on the latest episode of Vaughany and Tuffers Cricket Club Podcast: “I think you might have two (IPL) seasons. I wouldn't be surprised at all. If bilateral cricket is reduced, you might well have a shorter format of the IPL in the latter half of the year, more like a World Cup format with a knockout that decides the winner. The full competition with 10 teams could go to 12 teams in the future with the schedule stretching from one-and-a-half to two months.”
Explaining how IPL's growth is helping the game in many ways, the commentator said: “All that is possible because it is driven by money and supply and demand. The demand is big for that type of format. The IPL will be tempted to go in that direction. It's great for the sport, great for the players, broadcasters, and people who work around the teams. It's (the IPL) industry on its own now.”
He signed off by saying, “I would be a little careful of the number of bilateral splits, especially in T20 cricket. There's a lot of franchise cricket that can be encouraged, whichever country it's in - India, West Indies, or Pakistan. You play fewer bilaterals and then you get together for the World Cups. So the emphasis on ICC World Cup events has become paramount. Then people look forward to them.”
