We don't see anyone else as our competition: IPL chairman

There are too many T20 leagues happening around the world but Arun Singh Dhumal, the Indian Premier League chairman, believes none of them can be a threat to the IPL. The 46-year-old also made it clear that the BCCI don’t see any of these leagues as their rival. 

The Big Bash League, the Pakistan Super League and the Caribbean Premier League have been happening for years, while the Hundred in England, the International League T20 in the United Arab Emirates and the SA20 in South Africa have only started recently. On top of that, there’s also one starting in the USA next month.

"We don't see anyone else as our competition, there is none even close to IPL," Dhumal told Reuters. "Our best wishes to all the boards starting their own T20 leagues, but I don't think any of them can be a threat to IPL."

The recently-concluded IPL 2023 was a huge success, with more than 120 million unique viewers tuning in to watch the final between Gujarat Titans and Chennai Super Kings in Ahmedabad, the Jio Cinema confirmed earlier this week.

"It has been a phenomenal success, and largely because of the sheer competitiveness of this year's tournament," Dhumal added.

"Most of the matches went down to the wire and there were plenty of last-over thrillers. We got a phenomenal response from the fans. Our viewership grew manifold and our broadcast and digital partners both are excited.

"Even the in-stadia experience of the fans has been phenomenal, and going forward it's only going to get better."

Dhumal also confirmed that the IPL will remain a 10-team event but the number of matches could go up from 74 to 94 in the next few seasons. 

Talking about increasing the $11.5 million salary cap for each franchise, Dhumal said: "We will have to consult the franchises and team owners before taking a call. While we still have 10 months before the next IPL, a lot of discussions will have to take place before anything like that happens."