The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is considering introducing a Tier-2 cricket league as early as 2024, inspired by the success of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The IPL, launched in 2008, has crossed brand value of USD 10 billion recently.
According to the persons who requested anonymity, BCCI Secretary Jay Shah is working on a design for the prospective league, and stakeholders, including possible sponsors, are enthusiastic about the idea. The board has determined that the new cricket league can take place between September and October next year.
The BCCI is considering the T10 format for the Tier-2 cricket league, acknowledging the role the shortest version of the game could play in driving the popularity of the sport.
The cricket body is currently deliberating on several issues related to the proposed league, including whether BCCI should go with the T10 format or remain steady with T20, though the proposal is for the T10 format.
They are also considering whether an age cap should be introduced for the players so that the new property doesn’t eat into the popularity of the IPL. Another point of deliberation is whether the IPL franchises are offered 'right to first refusal', which is one of the clauses in the ongoing contracts concerning any similar league launched by the BCCI before any tenders are floated.
The BCCI is also considering the venue of the new league- whether it is to be played in India every year or have a new venue each edition.
BCCI pays massive tribute to MS Dhoni, retires his number 7 jersey- Report
"Whenever the BCCI decides to launch a new property, points A and c will always remain the same given that cricket sells like no other product in India. It is point b that the BCCI might want to think twice about,” say those tracking developments.
If the cricket board proceeds with these intentions - and it has been learned that the plan is to go seriously - bilateral cricket as we know it will change within the next two years. The Ashes, India v England, India v Australia, and even India against South Africa, among a few others, will endure, but the rest of the schedule will begin to shift towards franchise cricket.
Right now, several cricket boards are not receiving enough money from the selling of home bilateral rights to support themselves in the long run. A revenue-sharing model with the BCCI could benefit these boards financially. "But if that happens, it could mean the end of 50-over cricket sooner than one thinks," those who fear the "inevitable" say.
The only cricketing body that can stand on its own is the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) because the summer months in the United Kingdom allow them to position themselves distinctively, given the weather patterns in the lower hemisphere during those months.
(Money Control inputs)
