The BCCI is reportedly looking to curtail Team India’s bilateral series to increase the window for a 94-match Indian Premier League (IPL) season. To do this, the BCCI is seemingly looking at the ‘feasibility’ of bilateral cricket, with the excuse of broadcasters no longer ‘seeing value’ in such matches.
In football or soccer, club competitions such as the Premier League and La Liga are more important than international games. In terms of fan interest, only international competitions like the World Cup and the Euros can rival them.
It has long been believed that the IPL, which was founded on these club-focused private leagues, was the precursor to the football-like structure in cricket. The wheels of change appear to be moving quickly now that the BCCI plans to add about 20 games to the IPL starting in 2028.
“We can’t play 94 games in the current window as the monsoon starts after May. Either we split into two halves, or we do it from the first week and have it till May 15. That would be the best window when 94 matches are played.
We also need to see the feasibility of bilateral series going forward. Every country has its own league; they are not entirely dependent on hosting the India series. So, we need to see the feasibility of bilaterals going forward. The broadcaster is already not seeing value in some of the bilateral series being played. If cricket has to go the soccer way, all boards need to buy into it," an anonymous board official told PTI.
“The viewer fatigue has to be kept in mind too. The world looks forward to the football World Cup as it comes every four years. We are having ICC events every year," the source added.
Since hosting India, England, and Australia continue to be a significant source of income for these nations, several national boards would probably fight any attempt to limit or eliminate bilateral cricket, even though India may not need it to survive.
It demonstrated how reliant the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) was on the forthcoming tour of India to make money this year.
