Mumbai: Only 74 matches will be played in IPL 2025. This is 10 matches less than the number of matches scheduled for IPL 2025 when the new media rights were sold for the 202327 IPL cycle. According to this, a total of 84 matches were to be played in the upcoming season.
It was mentioned in the tender document for the new cycle that the number of matches per season would also increase. IPL had said in this that a total of 74 matches will be played in 2023 and 2024, 84 in 2025 and 2026 while a maximum of 94 matches will be played in 2027, the last year of the deal.
ESPNcricinfo has learned that one of the major reasons for the IPL not increasing the number of matches in the upcoming season is the workload management of the Indian players. India is a contender to reach the final of the World Test Championship for the third consecutive time, which will be played at Lord's from June 11. BCCI is in favor that if India enters the final then the players should get adequate rest.
The schedule of IPL 2025 has not been finalized yet but it can be played from midMarch to the last week of May.
BCCI Secretary Jay Shah recently told the Economic Times, “We have not taken any decision regarding whether 84 matches will be played in IPL 2025. It is part of the contract and it depends on the BCCI whether the season will be played for 74 or 84 How many matches will be organized?
The IPL became one of the richest sports leagues in the world when media rights were sold in 2022. Media rights of IPL for 202327 were sold for Rs 48,390 crore. These rights were sold in four packages: A (TV rights in the Indian subcontinent), B (Digital rights in the subcontinent), C (Special packages involving digital rights of some high profile matches) and D (Five different territories). Global Media Rights)
The IPL said the total number of matches in the season will be based on Package C, also known as the Special Package. This package includes the opening match of the tournament, weekend evening matches, four playoff matches and the final.
74 matches were played in the IPL in the 2023 and 2024 seasons, according to which there were a total of 18 matches in the special package. If more than 74 matches are played in a season, the number of matches in the special package will increase by two matches for every additional 10 matches. For example, if 84 matches are played in a season then the number of special package matches will increase from 18 to 20.
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Image Credit: KhasKhabar.