Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has opined that it would not make much sense to add two more teams to the IPL from 2028 season. It has been reported that two new teams can be added to the tournament as Pune and Vadodara have emerged as contenders.
Currently, 10 teams take part in the lucrative competition, with the top four qualifying for the playoffs. A total of 74 matches were played in the previous edition of the IPL in 2026.
“In my opinion, it shouldn’t happen. There is talk about 12 teams. You will be able to sell these franchises, but is the IPL ready for a 12-team tournament? I am assuming that there will be only one tournament a year. Then it makes no sense whatsoever to add two more teams,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
Chopra highlighted that all teams are currently playing 14 matches in the league phase, instead of 18 if one team plays the other nine sides in home-and-away fixtures.
“The premise of the IPL was each team playing the other home and away. You are unable to do that. You are unable to make teams play 18 matches. When you are unable to play now, if you add two more teams, you will make one more split in between. Why do you need to do it?” he observed.
In the same discussion, the renowned commentator squashed actress Juhi Chawla’s suggestion that IPL should have a new window from January to March.
“There was a discussion that a new window should be created for the IPL, and that it should be played from January to March. The IPL doesn’t exist in isolation. It’s not the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where you will be able to manage only with Indian players,” he said.
Chopra noted that most foreign, especially South African and Australian players, won’t be available if the IPL is scheduled earlier in the year due to national commitments.
“There is a window for international cricket, which starts in September and continues till February-March. Only England doesn’t play in that window. If you do it from January to March, the weather will be very good, but will Australian and South African players come? Apart from English players, will you get the others?” Chopra concluded.
IPL 2027 auction will be held in mid-December.
