HOW IPL’S LIKELY EXPANSION WILL AFFECT INTERNATIONAL CRICKET

With such a massive rise in valuation, it is only a matter of time before the IPL expands even further. IPL 2022 saw the number of matches increase from 60 to 74 following the inclusion of two new franchises...

- RENIN WILBEN

BCCI recently confirmed that it has sold media rights for the Indian Premier League (IPL) for a whopping Rs 48,390 crore for a five-year period, thus making it 2nd most valued sporting league in the world. While Disney Star has retained their Indian sub-continent TV rights for Rs 23,575 crore (Rs 57.5 crore/game), the digital rights have gone to Reliance-backed Viacom18 for Rs 20,500 crore, who also won the non-exclusive Package C by paying an additional Rs 2991 crore. Package D encompassing overseas TV and Digital Rights, was sold for Rs 1324 crore to Viacom18 and Times Internet. With such a massive rise in valuation, it is only a matter of time before the IPL expands even further. IPL 2022 saw the number of matches increase from 60 to 74 following the inclusion of two new franchises - the Gujarat Titans (GT) and the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). As per reports, and BCCI has admitted about the plans, the idea is to make the league even bigger and stronger. Apparently, the 2027 edition, the last year of the upcoming five-year IPL cycle, will have 94 games. The obvious question is what kind of impact it will have on international cricket. The answer is massive.