IPL 2021 is up and running at a time when India is hitting new highs with COVID-19 cases.
While there is usually about a ten-month gap between two IPL seasons, this one has started within five months of the end of the last season. The BCCI announced big changes for the IPL 2022, most notable being the addition of two new teams to make it a ten-team tournament.
How would that change the competition and the viewing experience for people is something I’d like to discuss further in the article.
Older editions of the IPL have had more than eight teams; IPL 2011 with ten teams and IPL 2012 and 2013 with nine teams. One of the most obvious advantages of more teams is more states getting a direct representation in IPL.
The IPL has a very big fan base and for fans of states with no teams of their own to get one would add to their viewing experience. Also, the IPL has been a stepping stone for a lot of players’ careers and their first real chance to showcase their talent in front of the world. More teams means more talent getting scouted, more players getting to play at the biggest stage in franchise cricket, which will have benefits in the long run for the Indian cricket team and maybe even for other countries.
The Mumbai Indians’ dominance has been clearly seen in the past few seasons as they have won three out of the four IPL trophies. More teams would add to the competition and make it more interesting and maybe even more challenging for Mumbai Indians, which would bring out the best in them.
With that being said, the IPL is a long competition that runs for over 50 days with 60 games being played. Two more teams would mean a total of 94 matches to be played, which will be a headache for everyone: the viewers, organisers, broadcasters, the ground staff and most importantly, the players and teams.
There is a high possibility that the format would be similar to the one followed in 2011, which involved the ten teams being divided into two groups of five. In the group stage, each team plays 14 games: facing the top four teams in their group two times each (one home and one away game), four teams in the other group once, and the remaining team two times. All the fixtures would be determined by a draw.
Another thing to note is IPL teams from the seasons with nine or ten teams have gone defunct for mostly monetary reasons. The IPL involves huge sums of money. Would it still be possible to ensure financial fair play after adding two more teams or are we going to see more Indians fleeing to Britain for you know what?
I’m not in favour of the expanded tournament, and not just in the IPL. I also prefer the ten-team World Cup over other previous editions. While I do agree more teams and more participation are good for the progress of the sport, the idea of minnows playing against each other on the biggest stage isn’t too appealing to me.
Tanish
Roar Rookie
Will be working on a new article for the World Cup as i did not write much on it in this one. I hope the reasons about the IPL were clear and not vague like the thing i said about my opinion of the world cup in the end. Cheers :happy:
Tanish
Roar Rookie
Yes your assumption about me being indian was correct and i’d love to see my country playing the biggest world event in every sport possible. And the indian football team isnt the best, and comparing it to minnows in cricket was fair. But comparing the FIFA World Cup to the ICC CWC is definitely not a fair match in any way. There’s 32 teams in the fifa wc which is far more than cricket. The qualification criteria also differ greatly for both the events. I do realise my mistake in the end of the article where i stated my opinion on the world cup without any reasons. The article was supposed to be only for the expanded IPL and i tried to use the world cup as an analogy which did not work as i thought it would. Thats why i’ll be writing another one specifically for the world cup and also discussing the ODI Super League. Thanks :happy:
Mr Cricket
Guest
I don't know whether you are Indian, so I will presume you are (apologies if not) for the purpose of the following question I'm assuming that you would be vocally opposed to any change by FIFA that would make it easier for India to qualify for the football world cup? I.e if there was a spot reserved for "South Asia"? Indeed, I'm guessing you are totally fine with some Indian pelican wasting a spot in the 100m at the Olympics despite the fact they stand zero chance of making it beyond the heat stage? Minnows have a place in world cups and international sporting events. It's the only way they get better - playing against the best. By your logic, no country should ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever play India in football.
Simon Paterson
Guest
I disagree with this. Sometimes "minnows" as you call them can provide the most exciting games of cricket. For example, Ireland beating England in the 2011 World Cup and the West Indies in the 2015 World Cup, or The Netherlands beating England in the 2009 T20 World Cup and Afghanistan defeating the eventual champions of the 2016 T20 World Cup, West Indies. There is a multitude of these examples, with these exciting moments growing the game of cricket and spreading it to a truly worldwide audience. A WORLD Cup should reflect the global game, not just include the very top countries, and if not everyone wanted to watch games played by these associate nations then that's ok, as there are certainly fans who will watch.
Tanish
Roar Rookie
Thanks! That really does sound interesting as it would even add value to matches which are usually considered a dead rubber. Only thing I'm confused about is because it's a 2nd tier competition, will the quality of players be as good as the main league or would it have more domestic players and international players who may not have represented their country yet?
Tanish
Roar Rookie
Thanks! The idea really does sound interesting and would even make the games between eliminated teams interesting as they'd look to avoid relegation. One question, as this is a 2nd tier would the quality of players be as good as the main league or would it have more domestic talent and maybe internationals who haven't played for their country yet?
Tigerbill44
Roar Guru
I agree with your views. I think the current format is good. what IPL can try to do gradually is develop a 2nd tier from states that don't have any team now. then the promotion and relegation battles will become interesting.