IPL should not expand beyond 10 teams until home-and-away format is possible: Burman

New Delhi: Punjab Kings co-owner Mohit Burman believes that the Indian Premier League (IPL) must have a longer window to ensure that all 10 teams play each other on a home-and-away basis.

Under the current system, every team plays 14 league matches during a season, but not all sides face each other twice.

The number of matches is likely to increase from 74 to 94 in the media rights cycle beginning in 2028.

Amid the debate over a potential change in the IPL window, Burman said the immediate focus should be on ensuring that all teams face each other twice in the league stage.

“IPL has to become longer so that all 10 teams play each other home and away. There are several factors to consider when discussing the IPL window — the international cricket calendar, player availability, weather conditions, broadcasters and, of course, the fans.

“The current window has worked extremely well for the league, but I’m sure the BCCI will continue evaluating what is best for the tournament,” Burman told PTI.

KKR co-owner Juhi Chawla recently suggested moving the IPL to January instead of its usual late-March start.

Burman also felt there should be no expansion beyond 10 teams until the window is long enough to allow every team to play the others twice on a home-and-away basis.

“There should be no more new teams until the window is long enough for every team to play each other home and away,” said the Dabur India chairman.

On the Hardik Pandya trade

On the biggest trade deal in the IPL, Burman said bringing in a charismatic all-rounder like Hardik Pandya aligned with the team’s ambitions of winning the title. In return, Punjab Kings had to part ways with pace spearhead Arshdeep Singh, who moved to Mumbai Indians.

“It’s not often that you get an opportunity to bring in a player like Hardik Pandya. He’s one of the finest all-rounders in world cricket, someone who can change the course of a match with both bat and ball. He also brings leadership, experience and the ability to perform in pressure situations.

“For us, it was about adding another dimension to an already strong squad. We reached the final in 2025, and our ambition is to take that next step and win the title. Hardik gives us greater balance and flexibility, and that’s extremely valuable in T20 cricket,” said Burman.

Asked how long it took to close the deal with Mumbai Indians, he said:

“These things don’t happen overnight. For us, the opportunity to bring in a player of Hardik’s calibre was extremely exciting. He’s a proven match-winner, a leader and someone who brings enormous value to the side.

“The management was closely involved in the discussions, and ultimately, we felt this was a move that made sense for Punjab Kings and our ambitions going forward.

“We have always maintained that we want to build a team capable of winning the IPL, and every decision we make has to be aligned with that objective.”

I see it as a huge advantage: Burman on Hardik playing under Shreyas

Burman brushed aside concerns over a proven leader like Hardik playing under PBKS skipper Shreyas Iyer.

“I don’t see that as an issue at all. In fact, I see it as a huge advantage. Shreyas has done an outstanding job leading Punjab Kings, and taking us to the final in 2025 was a significant achievement.

“Hardik brings his own experience of captaining teams and winning championships. Having two strong cricketing minds in the dressing room can only benefit the franchise.

“Ultimately, they are both professionals who understand that the team comes first. Both are T20 specialists and share great camaraderie, complementing each other by bringing different perspectives and strengths to the team,” Burman said.

On letting Arshdeep go, he added:

“It was extremely tough. Arshdeep has been a very important part of Punjab Kings, and we’ve seen him grow into one of the finest fast bowlers in the country.

“He’s a Punjab boy, he’s loved by our fans and he will always have a special place in this franchise. He was with us for the last eight seasons. But in sport, you sometimes have to make difficult decisions.”