Pune and Vadodara said to lead race for two new IPL teams from 2028

The Indian Premier League (IPL), which began in 2008, draws keen interest from cricket fans every year, and it now appears set to grow further. Teams and their managements have begun preparing for IPL 2027. Meanwhile, fresh talk has emerged about the 2028 season.

It is being said that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is exploring the possibility of adding at least two new franchises to the league from the 2028 season. No official information on this has come out so far. All of it remains at the level of speculation and talk.

According to one account, Pune in Maharashtra and Vadodara in Gujarat have emerged as the most favoured and front-line options in the race for franchises. The list of cities could change when the final decision is taken. Even so, with a sports-loving city like Pune in the reckoning, cricket fans in Maharashtra are keenly interested.

It is said that big industrial groups in the country and international investment firms are also interested in buying the new franchises. Because of this heavy investment, each new franchise is expected to be valued at up to $1 billion.

If this happens, then from the 2028 season cricket fans could watch the IPL among 12 teams, not 10, instead of the present eight. The prospect of this is said to be strong.

Both cities are said to have good stadiums, a climate favourable to franchise owners for investment, and a large body of cricket lovers. For these reasons, Pune and Vadodara appear to be the first choice of the BCCI and international investors.