The Indian Premier League (IPL) chairman Arun Singh Dhumal said that no other T20 franchise league is even close to competing with the cash-rich Indian Premier League in terms of revenue or viewership. The 2023 edition of the league has finished successfully with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) winning their fifth title as well. The introduction of the impact player rule along with the return of the home and away format made the tournament one of the most exciting ones in recent times.

“We don’t see anyone else as our competition, there is none even close to IPL. 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,” Arun Dhumal told Reuters.”It has been a phenomenal success, and largely because of the sheer competitiveness of this year’s tournament. 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.”

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However, the IPL’s growth is unbelievable with the addition of two new franchises in 2022 as well. Meanwhile, the broadcast rights for television and digital were sold separately too as well. Meanwhile, the IPL has obtained a dedicated window in the next cycle of the Future Tours Programme (FTP) as per the ICC’s directive too as well.

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“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. It’s the ICC’s job to grow the game outside the traditional pockets. BCCI has helped nations in the past but as far as a T20 league in Saudi Arabia is considered, it’s all speculation,” Arun Dhumal concluded.