The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has ruled out an immediate expansion of the Indian Premier League (IPL) from 10 to 12 teams, stating that the proposal has not even been discussed internally. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia also declined to comment on calls for shifting the tournament to a January window, saying the board’s immediate priority is the 2027 edition.
Speaking to PTI, Saikia dismissed reports suggesting that the IPL could become a 12-team competition in 2028. He said the board had not formally or informally considered the possibility and that there was no scope for expansion at this stage.
“We have neither discussed formally nor informally the possibility of the IPL becoming a 12-team affair in 2028. It is not in our scope at this stage,” Saikia said.
The BCCI secretary also clarified that there has been no decision to increase the team salary purse from the existing ₹125 crore to ₹150 crore ahead of the next mega auction.
“There is nothing of that sort regarding an increase in the salary purse. The mega auction will be sometime next year. This time it will not be a mega auction. Our auction is going to take place on December 16, which will be the last year of the cycle. Thereafter, we will take a call,” he added.
The December 16 auction will be a mini auction, with the current team cycle approaching its final year. Decisions regarding the next mega auction and any changes to the salary purse will be taken later.
Saikia also avoided commenting on the proposal to move the IPL away from its traditional March-May window. Kolkata Knight Riders co-owner Juhi Chawla had recently backed former IPL chairman Lalit Modi’s suggestion of starting the tournament in January, arguing that cooler conditions would benefit players and spectators.
Modi had called for a rethink of the IPL calendar, citing the extreme summer heat and the league’s growing commercial influence.
However, Saikia declined to offer a view on the proposal, making it clear that the board is currently focused on organising the next season.
“We are concerned about hosting the 2027 IPL, which is going to start in March 2027. That’s all,” he said.
The BCCI’s latest comments indicate that neither an expansion to 12 teams nor a shift to a January window is currently part of its immediate plans. The board’s focus remains on staging the IPL’s 20th edition in March 2027.
