IPL 2020 could witness nine teams: Details here
What's the story
The lucrative T20 tournament Indian Premier League (IPL) is getting bigger and better with each passing season. As new revolutionary concepts are being analyzed and discussed for introduction, one such introduction could be expanding the tournament. IPL could see nine teams instead of the existing eight. As per reports, the next edition of the tournament, in 2020, could witness it. Here's more.
Expansion
BCCI contemplating nine-team IPL instead of 10
Earlier, it was suggested that the tournament could be expanded to 10 teams to increase competitiveness. However, as per a report by Times of India, the expansion to 10 teams would lead to 90-plus matches, which might not suit overseas players, owing to international commitments. Thus, a nine-team tournament would lead to 76 matches, which could be adjusted in the current window.
Team buyers
Buyers available for fresh new teams
As per the TOI report, there are buyers for new teams. However, enough buyers are needed for a competitive bidding process. "There will be takers, given the following for cricket in Ahmedabad and the resources available there. So, if a tender is brought out for one franchise right now, there'll certainly be a great amount of interest," said a source.
Ahmedabad-based franchise
BCCI looking to have an Ahmedabad-based IPL franchise
Meanwhile, it is being said that the BCCI is looking to push for a nine-team IPL, especially a franchise based in Ahmedabad. It is owing to the world's biggest cricket stadium coming up in the city, the Sardar Patel Stadium in Motera, which is to have a capacity of more than a lakh. Thus, not having an IPL team for the city is baseless.
10-team tournament
IPL has witnessed 10-team tournament before
As far as the 10-team tournament goes, it has happened in the IPL before. In case one remembers, the 2011 season of the IPL saw 10 teams participating in the tournament, with the two extra teams in the form of Kochi Tuskers Kerala (KTK) and Pune Warriors India (PWI). However, the concept was brought down to nine teams the following season.
Author's take
Is expanding the IPL to multiple teams a viable concept?
While the introduction of multiple teams is a great concept, as far as competitiveness is concerned, the extra number of matches could lead to an overdose of cricket and could also result in player burnout. However, the author feels that introducing the concept of two-team-twice, a common format used in Australia's Big Bash League (BBL), could help in reducing player burnout.