Lucknow and Ahmedabad: IPL 2022 to have 74 matches as 2 new teams added

Lucknow and Ahmedabad are the two new teams added to the Indian Premier League (IPL) ahead of the 2022 edition.

As per the tender process, various interested parties submitted their bids for the new franchises. The bids were submitted by the authorised representatives of the interested parties in Dubai on Monday.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the following successful bidders: RPSG Ventures Ltd. - Lucknow (for INR 7,090 crores) and Irelia Company Pte Ltd (CVC Capital Partners) - Ahmedabad (for INR 5,625 crores).

The participation of Lucknow and Ahmedabad is still subject to bidders completing the post-bid formalities as specified in the ITT document.

The IPL 2022 season will comprise ten teams and will have 74 matches, wherein each team will play 7 home and 7 away matches, according to an official release from IPL.

BCCI chief Sourav Ganguly welcomed the two teams and said that the high valuation of the franchises "reiterates the cricketing and financial strength of our cricket ecosystem."

"The BCCI is happy to welcome two new teams from the next season of the Indian Premier League. I would like to congratulate RPSG Ventures Ltd. & Irelia Company Pte Ltd for being the successful bidders. The IPL will now go to two new cities in India viz in Lucknow and Ahmedabad. It is heartening to see the inclusion of two new teams at such a high valuation, and it reiterates the cricketing and financial strength of our cricket ecosystem.

True to IPL's motto of 'Where Talent Meets Opportunity', the inclusion of two new teams will bring more domestic cricketers from our country to the global stage. The ITT process included two interested bidders from outside of India, which strongly emphasises the global appeal of the IPL as a sports property. The IPL is proving to be a wonderful instrument in globalising the game of cricket. I am keenly looking forward to IPL 2022," Ganguly was quoted in IPL's release, as saying.

Meanwhile, BCCI Secretary Jay Shah said that with the two new teams added to the IPL, the BCCI will take the league to different parts of India.

"It is a momentous day for all of us and I formally welcome RPSG Ventures Ltd. and Irelia Company Pte Ltd. into the IPL fold. We had promised that IPL will be bigger and better from the 15th season and with Lucknow and Ahmedabad, we will take the league to different parts of India.

The IPL has established gold standards for leagues across the world and remains a premium event on the sporting calendar as it has grown rapidly in a short span. Despite numerous challenges posed by COVID-19, the 13th and 14th seasons were completed, and the bids prove that interested parties have faith in BCCI and its hosting capabilities. I am thrilled for the people of Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat as the long wait is over and they will now have their own IPL team. My best wishes to the two new teams," Jay Shah added.

"The level of interest among the interested parties proves that IPL is among the most sought-after sporting leagues in the world. We had bids from different parts of the world and from parties with diverse portfolios wanting to make a foray into the world of sports. I extend my heartiest congratulations to RPSG Ventures Ltd. and Irelia Company Pte Ltd. for securing the rights to operate the two teams. We had a wonderful 14th season and the 2022 season will see a new beginning," IPL's chairman Brijesh Patel said.