There is no doubt that the (IPL) is one of the biggest T20 franchise tournaments today, with a massive fan following. The IPL is increasingly aligned with major football leagues and seems to be heading in a similar direction, with player transfers and discussions about the addition of new teams.
There have also been conversations across social media platforms about whether the T20 league could eventually evolve into a near year-round tournament, similar to the English Premier League and La Liga. Although the concept of a 12-month IPL is intriguing, the love and attention still given to international bilateral series make such a plan challenging to implement. However, bilateral series are now on the decline, and the hype around them isn’t what it used to be.
It is time to explore the possible consequences if the IPL were to shift from a two-month window to a 12-month format, and how this could impact the global cricketing landscape. There would certainly be pros and cons to this idea, sparking debate among cricket fans and experts who have followed the tournament’s journey over the past 18 years.
Here are positive and negative impacts if IPL becomes a 12-month league:
Positives
1. A longer tournament means more exciting games
The IPL is renowned for delivering thrilling encounters, often going down to the final over. Extending the tournament could offer fans more high-scoring and low-scoring thrillers, much like those seen over the past 18 years. There would be more room for close contests and drama.
2. Young players will get more opportunities
The IPL is already a major platform for young cricketers to showcase their talent. With more matches, there would be greater chances for emerging players to prove themselves. Teams could rotate squads more freely and experiment, giving younger talent the stage to shine.
3. New teams might enter the spotlight
Another possible outcome is the introduction of new franchises. If the league extends in duration, the BCCI and IPL governing council may look to include more teams to increase competitiveness. This would excite fans eager to see how new teams perform and which players join them.
What if IPL Finals had opposite winners। Alternate IPL final
Negatives
1. Complicated scheduling and seasonal challenges
Football can be played in most weather conditions—summer, winter, or monsoon. Cricket, however, is more season-dependent and cannot be played in all climates. This presents a major challenge for scheduling, especially with rain-affected venues potentially limiting the number of feasible games.
2. Cricket’s longer format may reduce stadium attendance
Football matches last only 90 minutes, while even T20 games run for four to five hours. Though fans love cricket, a year-long tournament with such long matches may discourage regular stadium attendance. People may not have the time or energy to watch matches so frequently amid daily life responsibilities.
3. Risk of sidelining international matches and other formats
Despite the IPL’s popularity, international cricket still commands great affection. Even though ODI series are declining, extending the IPL could also overshadow major Test and T20I series. There’s a genuine risk that 50-over and red-ball cricket could be neglected. Cricket’s uniqueness lies in its three formats—each with its own fanbase—and disrupting this balance would be problematic.
Conclusion
While a 12-month IPL could open up exciting opportunities and extend fan engagement, it poses serious risks, particularly to the health of other formats and international cricket. It could also present major logistical and scheduling challenges. Careful planning and thoughtful execution would be critical to ensure the essence of the game isn’t lost in the pursuit of expansion.
