New Delhi: Indian Premier League (IPL) founder Lalit Modi has welcomed the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) clarification that there are no immediate plans to expand the tournament from 10 to 12 teams. However, he has called for changes to the IPL calendar, arguing that the competition must adapt to accommodate a 94-match format and avoid extreme heat towards the end of May.
Modi’s comments followed BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia’s statement that the proposal to increase the number of IPL teams to 12 by 2028 had not been discussed, either formally or informally, within the Board.
Reacting to the clarification on social media platform X, Modi said he was glad that the BCCI’s statement had brought an end to speculation about an immediate expansion.
“I am glad this official comment for now ends speculation of 12 teams. Also, I showed you all what it will take to get the games scheduled to the 94 games going forward, which is mandatory,” Modi posted.
While welcoming the Board’s position, the former IPL chairman maintained that the tournament’s scheduling would need to change regardless of whether the BCCI adopted his earlier proposal.
Lalit Modi proposes an earlier IPL window
Modi argued that the IPL should begin earlier in the year to reduce the tournament’s exposure to the extreme temperatures experienced in the final weeks of May.
He suggested moving the start of the competition forward by three weeks, to the third week of February. According to him, an earlier start would be an important step towards avoiding the hottest part of May.
“Moving it up 3 weeks into the third week of February will definitely be the first step to avoiding the last three weeks of May, which is the worst heat. You cannot escape climate change; I am sorry. We have to adapt and not continue to ignore reality at the cost of other cricket,” Modi said.
His remarks put the focus on the challenges of fitting an extended IPL schedule into an already crowded international cricket calendar. A 94-match competition would require careful planning of fixtures, venues and the tournament window.
However, Modi’s suggestion remains a proposal and does not represent an announced change to the IPL calendar. The BCCI has not confirmed that it will move the tournament to February.
BCCI rules out immediate expansion to 12 teams
Saikia recently clarified that the BCCI had not considered expanding the IPL from its existing 10-team structure to 12 teams in 2028.
Speaking to PTI, the BCCI secretary said the proposal had not been discussed within the Board and that there was no scope for expansion at the current stage.
He also dismissed media reports about the possible increase in the number of franchises, describing them as speculation.
The Board’s immediate priority, Saikia said, was the 2027 edition, which will mark the 20th season of the IPL. He indicated that the BCCI was concentrating on organising the milestone tournament rather than considering changes beyond that edition.
The clarification has put the immediate expansion discussion on hold, although it does not amount to a permanent decision against adding teams in the future.
No decision on increasing team purse
Saikia also addressed reports about a possible increase in the player salary purse ahead of the next major auction cycle.
The current team purse stands at Rs 125 crore, and there had been speculation that it could be raised to Rs 150 crore before the 2027 mega auction.
The BCCI secretary said no decision had been taken on such an increase. He added that the Board would consider the matter at a later stage.
The auction scheduled for December 16 will not be a mega auction. Saikia described it as the final auction of the current cycle, with the next mega auction expected to take place in 2027.
The BCCI has therefore not confirmed either a higher team purse or an expansion of the tournament for 2028.
IPL 2027 remains the immediate priority
The 2027 season will be the IPL’s 20th edition, and the BCCI is currently focused on preparations for the tournament, which is expected to begin in March.
Modi’s comments have brought a separate issue into the discussion: how the IPL should be scheduled if the competition moves towards a 94-match format. His proposal to start in February is based on the need to avoid the extreme heat of late May and make room for a longer tournament.
For now, the BCCI has made no announcement on adopting that calendar. Its latest position is that the 2027 edition remains the immediate focus, with no formal or informal discussion on expanding to 12 teams by 2028.
The debate over the IPL’s future structure and schedule is therefore likely to continue, but any changes will depend on decisions taken by the BCCI.