Speculation about the Indian Premier League (IPL) expanding from 10 to 12 teams in 2028 has generated considerable excitement among cricket fans. However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has now clarified that no such expansion plan is currently under consideration.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia has dismissed reports suggesting that two new franchises could join the competition from the 2028 season. He made it clear that the board is concentrating on the upcoming IPL 2027, which will mark the tournament’s 20th edition.
The clarification comes after reports suggested that the BCCI was exploring the possibility of adding two teams, with Pune and Vadodara emerging as potential destinations.
Devajit Saikia rules out 12-team IPL in 2028
Speaking to news agency PTI, Saikia said the BCCI had not discussed expanding the league, either formally or informally.
“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 told PTI.
He further stressed that the board’s immediate priority was to make the 20th edition of the IPL a major event.
“We are concerned about the IPL of 2027, which is going to be the 20th edition of the IPL. So it will be a big affair. We are concerned about that and we are not considering anything beyond that,” he added.
Saikia also took a firm position on the reports circulating about the proposed expansion.
“Whatever news is circulating in the media, I think these are all speculative reports from some fertile minds. I have no comments to offer regarding those. There is no sanctity to those reports,” he clarified.
Why were Pune and Vadodara linked with IPL expansion?
The expansion rumours gathered momentum following reports that the BCCI was considering adding two franchises from the 2028 season.
Pune and Vadodara were reportedly among the cities being discussed as possible destinations for the new teams. Both cities have experience hosting major cricket events, while Pune has previously been represented in the IPL.
Pune Warriors India competed between 2011 and 2013, while Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS) featured in the 2016 and 2017 seasons. The latter even reached the 2017 final, losing to Mumbai Indians (MI) by just one run.
Vadodara, meanwhile, has been discussed as a potential cricketing destination amid Gujarat’s growing sporting infrastructure.
Reports also suggested that potential investors were evaluating opportunities, with new franchises potentially commanding valuations of more than $1 billion. However, Saikia’s comments make it clear that these reports should not be treated as confirmation of an expansion plan.
BCCI focused on IPL 2027 and the mini-auction
The 2027 edition will be particularly significant as it marks 20 years since the IPL began in 2008. The BCCI has already indicated its intention to celebrate the milestone on a grand scale.
The mini-auction for IPL 2027 is scheduled for December 16, 2026. Saikia also clarified that the upcoming auction will not be a mega auction and that the board has not decided to increase the player salary purse from ₹125 crore to ₹150 crore.
“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 said.