The debate of increasing the number of teams to 10 has proved to be nothing but a hoax if big wigs of BCCI are to be believed.
The Indian Premier League (IPL) will continue to be an eight-team affair next season. The debate of increasing the number of teams to 10 has proved to be nothing but a hoax if big wigs of BCCI are to be believed.
Talking to DNA over phone, two of the top BCCI officials have categorically denied of any such plans. "BCCI has not even had any discussion on this front and there is no truth in this matter," was how the top Board officials quipped.
A powerful section within the BCCI did try to spread this rumour last week that there is a serious discussion over increasing the number of IPL teams from next season during a meeting of the franchise owners and the league's other stakeholders in London last week.
"Having 10 teams simply means more number of matches and more number of days. This is not possible because of the 'window' provided by ICC. The only way to have more teams will certainly mean that that IPL will have more day games, and that's simply not a great idea considering the feedback of cricket lovers till date," a Board official said on Tuesday.
It is important to mention her that IPL had featured 10 teams in the past, before Kochi Tuskers Kerala and Pune Warriors contracts were unceremoniously terminated in 2013.
While Kochi franchise lasted only one season, the Sahara-owned Pune Warriors pulled out after the 2013 edition, bringing the number of teams back to original eight again from 2014.
"Practically speaking, IPL takes place during summer and it will be gruel on the players if more day games are staged," said the other official.
Revenue sharing
It has been learnt that even franchises are surprised over such a debate. At least representative of four of the eight franchises contacted by DNA on Tuesday denied being part of any such discussion. "Why would eight teams want to share the revenue with two more teams?" a franchise official asked.
Another important factor here is that an IPL expansion has to be approved by the tournament's (IPL) Governing Council and that doesn't exist at the moment. "The TV rights' deal was sealed with only eight teams in mind. It has to be renegotiated in case of any increase in the number of matches or teams," reminded the IPL team official.
Last but not the least, all the officials are of the view that with BCCI elections now in sight, there is no hurry to debate over such sensitive issues unless there is a legitimate regime in place.
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