Lalit Modi’s Proposed IPL Expansion: A Larger Calendar Amidst International Cricket Trade‑offs

Is expanding the IPL by cutting down on international T20 cricket the only way forward to create a bigger window for India’s most sought-after T20 league? Why would any cricket board willingly sacrifice revenue to accommodate the IPL by allowing its players to participate in the tournament?

The IPL is projected to increase to 94 matches per season starting in 2028, up from the current 74. The new format would have all ten franchises face each other twice—home and away—reviving the traditional double round‑robin structure, pending scheduling approval.

With the International Cricket Council, under Jay Shah’s leadership, considering how to enlarge the IPL’s schedule, Lalit Modi, the league’s founder, remains convinced that where there is a will, there is a way.

Some former players are also questioning the relevance of international T20 cricket; a reduction in such fixtures could be contemplated, though it remains uncertain.

Modi asserts that world cricket can accommodate an extended IPL window, potentially starting in January or spanning from October to late April.

Modi wrote on X, “As the next Future Tours Programme takes shape, Jay Shah has the chance to shape cricket’s future by using his role as ICC Chair to secure an expanded IPL season beginning in January.”

His track record lends credibility. While serving as BCCI secretary, he oversaw media‑rights bids exceeding ₹48,390 crore for the 2023‑27 seasons, demonstrating his grasp of how ambition translates into a valuable sporting property.

Modi added, “Now he can help secure the calendar for its next phase.”

Modi believes that bilateral cricket and ICC rights revenues may face pressure in the coming cycle, making it essential for the BCCI to prepare for the future.

Sources indicate the BCCI is actively seeking a larger IPL window in the coming years, though any expansion must be negotiated in consultation with other cricket boards.

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