With T20 leagues mushrooming across the globe, it has been claimed by the pundits that bilateral cricket will suffer going forward.

However, Indian Premier League (IPL) chairman Arun Singh Dhumal feels no league can be a threat to world's top T20 tournament and said that the BCCI doesn’t see anyone else as their rival.

Notably, a couple of brand-new T20 leagues involving the IPL franchises started in United Arab Emirates and South Africa this year. Moreover, Australia, England, Pakistan and the West Indies also have their leagues functioning.

However, Dhumal is confident that IPL will continue to rule the roost in franchise cricket.

"We don't see anyone else as our competition, there is none even close to IPL," Dhumal told Reuters.

"Our best wishes to all the boards starting their own T20 leagues, but I don't think any of them can be a threat to IPL."

The 2023 edition of IPL came to an end on Monday (May 29), with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) clinching the title by defeating Gujarat Titans (GT) in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

Dhumal is certain about IPL’s supremacy in the future because of record viewership numbers for this year's IPL.

"It has been a phenomenal success, and largely because of the sheer competitiveness of this year's tournament," Dhumal added.

"Most of the matches went down to the wire and there were plenty of last-over thrillers. We got a phenomenal response from the fans. Our viewership grew manifold and our broadcast and digital partners both are excited.

"Even the in-stadia experience of the fans has been phenomenal, and going forward it's only going to get better."

The IPL has obtained a dedicated window in the next cycle of the Future Tours Programme as per the ICC's directive.

If it gets a bigger window, IPL might see an increase in the number of matches from 74 to 94.

"We will have to consult the franchises and team owners before taking a call. While we still have 10 months before the next IPL, a lot of discussions will have to take place before anything like that happens," Dhumal said while speaking about a potential increase in the salary cap.

The IPL chairman also rubbished the claims that BCCI is helping Saudi Arabia launch its own T20 league.

"It's the ICC's job to grow the game outside the traditional pockets. BCCI has helped nations in the past but as far as a T20 league in Saudi Arabia is considered, it's all speculation," Dhumal concluded.

(With Reuters Inputs)