Should the IPL Have More Than 10 Teams: The Indian Premier League is already one of the biggest sporting events in the world. Millions of people watch it every year. But now, many fans and experts are wondering — is it time to add more teams?
Let’s break this down. We’ll look at the reasons why more teams could be good, what problems it might cause, and what the future of the IPL might look like.
HOW BIG IS THE IPL NOW
The IPL isn’t just big — it’s massive. In 2023, over 500 million people watched it on TV, and more than 450 million watched it online. In fact, during the final, over 3 crore people were watching at the same time on JioCinema. That’s more than the population of some countries.
Fans from all over India — and even from other countries — follow the matches, support their teams, and buy merchandise. Every match feels like a festival. With so many fans watching and talking about the IPL, it’s easy to see why people think there should be more teams.
THE MONEY SIDE
The IPL is also a money-making machine. The TV and streaming rights for the league were sold for over ₹48,000 crore for five years. That means each match is worth over ₹100 crore just in media rights. That’s more than what many football leagues or NBA games earn per match.
If the IPL adds more teams, there would be more matches. More matches means more tickets sold, more ads, and more people watching. That could bring in even more money — for the teams, for the BCCI, and for everyone involved. So, from a business point of view, it makes a lot of sense.
GIVING MORE PLAYERS A CHANCE
Now let’s talk about the players. India has a huge number of talented cricketers. In the 2024 IPL auction, over 900 players signed up, but only 87 got picked. That means many skilled players didn’t even get a chance to show what they can do.
We’ve already seen what the IPL can do for young players. Stars like Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, and Yashasvi Jaiswal all became famous after playing in the IPL. If there were more teams, more players would get a shot. Even small towns and less popular states could see their players shine on the big stage.
THE PROBLEMS WITH ADDING MORE TEAMS
But let’s not forget — there are also some problems with having more teams. Right now, the IPL already has 74 matches in a season. If we add two more teams, that number could go up to 90 or more. The season might get too long, and that could be tough on players. They might get tired or injured.
There’s also a question about quality. If we spread out the talent over more teams, some matches might not be as exciting. The level of competition could drop if too many inexperienced players are on the field.
And then there’s the issue of stadiums. Not every city has a world-class cricket stadium. Cities like Guwahati or Kochi would need to upgrade their facilities if they want to host regular IPL matches. Travel, accommodation, and crowd control all become harder with more teams.
WHICH CITIES COULD GET NEW TEAMS
Still, if the IPL does decide to expand, there are some cities that could be ready. Guwahati in Assam already hosted a few matches and has a growing fan base. Indore in Madhya Pradesh has a great stadium and a strong cricket culture. Kochi in Kerala once had a team and fans there are eager for a comeback. Ranchi, the hometown of MS Dhoni, could easily build a loyal fan base too.
Some people have also suggested that big cities like Ahmedabad or Lucknow could even support a second team, just like how New York or Los Angeles have more than one team in American sports leagues.
WHAT IS BCCI PLANNING
The BCCI, which runs the IPL, is already thinking about how to grow the league. But instead of adding new teams right away, they’re planning to make each team play more matches in a home-and-away format — just like in football leagues. That could increase the number of games to 94, even with just 10 teams.
This would mean fans get to see their teams play in their own cities more often. It also keeps the quality of cricket high without adding new franchises too quickly.
CONCLUSION
So, Should the IPL Have More Than 10 Teams? On one hand, more teams would mean more matches, more players getting a chance, and more cities joining the fun. On the other hand, it could make the season too long, reduce match quality, and create logistical problems.
It’s not an easy yes or no answer. Maybe the league needs to wait a few more years before adding new teams. Or maybe it’s ready right now. Either way, one thing is clear — the IPL is only going to get bigger and better.
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