India’s cricket board will discuss the addition of two new teams to the Indian Premier League, the richest T20 event in the world, at its annual meeting this month, authorities said Thursday. Delayed three times this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, the latest IPL was finally played behind closed doors in the United Arab Emirates, but it still drew a record number of digital and television viewers.
Arun Dhumal, treasurer of the Cricket Control Board in India (BCCI), confirmed to AFP that the addition of two teams to the eight-team league was on the agenda at the annual meeting on December 24.
“We will discuss it with the members and see what their views are and then we will take a call,” Dhumal said.
The IPL has an estimated brand value of $ 6.8 billion and some of this year’s games attracted more than 200 million viewers in India alone.
Teams spend huge amounts to bring the best players in the world to the tournament traditionally held between March and May.
India captain Virat Kohli is said to have earned $ 2.3 million playing in 15 matches for the Royal Challengers Bangalore. Australian bowler Pat Cummins was the most expensive foreign bowler, costing Kolkata Knight Riders $ 2.1 million.
Indian conglomerates Adani Group and RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group, which entered Rising Pune Supergiant for two IPL seasons, have reportedly shown interest in the new teams.
Also on the agenda, seen by AFP, will be the position of the BCCI on the inclusion of cricket in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
The International Cricket Council is in favor of pushing for cricket to be an Olympic sport, but the Indian board, the most powerful and wealthiest, has been reluctant.
Cricket appeared in the 1900 Olympics and was part of the 1998 Commonwealth Games. Women’s cricket will be part of the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
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