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Match Numbers Not To Increase In IPL; BCCI To Concentrate On Workload Management

IPL 2024 trophy (Source: @CricCrazyJohns/x.com)IPL 2024 trophy (Source: @CricCrazyJohns/x.com)

In a significant development, the 2025 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) will feature 74 matches instead of the previously planned 84 matches. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has chosen to prioritise workload management of the players ahead of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final. 

As per the ongoing IPL media rights cycle (2023-2027), it was initially outlined that after two seasons featuring 74 matches each (2023 and 2024), the 2025 and 2026 seasons would see an increase to 84 matches, culminating in a mammoth 94-match season in 2027. However, according to the reports of ESPNcricinfo, the BCCI has decided to stick with 74 matches for the 2025 edition. 

Why Will IPL 2025 Feature 74 matches? 

The primary motivation behind this decision is to ensure that Indian players remain fresh for the WTC Final, scheduled for June 2025 at Lord's. 

India is currently leading the WTC standings and is heavily favoured in reaching its third consecutive final. The IPL 2025 is expected to run from mid-March to the last week of May, leaving little room for players to recover before the WTC Final, which is slated to begin on June 11, 2025.

Outgoing BCCI President Jay Shah recently commented on the issue, stating that while the expansion to 84 matches was part of the contract, the BCCI is exercising caution.

 "We have not taken a call on organising 84 matches in IPL 2025 since we also have to factor the load on the players due to the increase in matches," Jay Shah, the outgoing BCCI president, told Economic Times recently. Jay Shah Said. 

The decision has been made with the health and performance of key players in mind, particularly with such a prestigious event as the WTC Final immediately following the IPL. By maintaining a 74-match schedule, the BCCI aims to allow Indian cricketers ample time for rest and preparation, ensuring they are in peak condition should they qualify for the final.

As per the original IPL rights contract, the 2026 season is expected to return to 84 matches, followed by a record-breaking 94 matches in the final year of the media cycle in 2027. 

However, with the current decision to maintain 74 matches for 2025, it remains to be seen whether similar considerations will be applied in the following seasons, especially with the increasing demand for player workload management in modern cricket.