The future of international cricket is under debate as IPL expansion gains attention. IPL chairman Arun Dhumal has shared his views on the falling interest in bilateral cricket.
He pointed out that several bilateral matches are seeing reduced fan engagement. According to him, many countries are now focusing on their own leagues instead of traditional international series.
Arun Dhumal stated that this trend could lead to fewer bilateral games. He added that such a shift may create room to expand the IPL window in the cricket calendar.
His observation reflects the changing global cricket scene. In many countries, fans are increasingly drawn towards franchise leagues rather than national team contests.
However, this decline is not very visible in India yet. Cricket remains the most followed sport in the country, with massive viewership across formats.
The presence of stars like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in ODIs still keeps fans engaged. Their popularity continues to drive interest in international matches.
At the same time, signs of change are emerging. After RoKo stepped away from T20I and Test cricket, some fans feel the excitement has reduced in these formats.
Many supporters believe the emotional connect has weakened. They feel the absence of senior players has changed the viewing experience.
Despite this, increasing the IPL window may not be the perfect solution. The tournament already runs for about two months each year.
Even during this period, viewership tends to dip in the middle stages. This suggests that audience fatigue is a real concern.
Expanding the IPL further could become a double-edged sword. It may reduce the overall excitement and uniqueness of the league.
Experts believe the BCCI should focus on strengthening international cricket. Promoting bilateral series may help maintain balance in the sport’s ecosystem.
