IPL Could Look Very Different After Punjab Kings Owner Calls for Two Changes

Punjab Kings owner has asked for two changes in the Indian Premier League. And these changes could make the tournament a lot better than one could have expected. However, the question remains whether his demands will be fulfilled or not?

Punjab Kings have been on the headlines once again since the IPL 2025 season. The team was able to reach the finals of the previous season for the first time in eleven years. They have created history for themselves, and are now keen to continue their dominance over

Recently, the owner of Punjab Kings, Ness Wadia has talked about two changes which should be brought in the IPL for the upcoming edition. One is to increase two games per team, and the next is to revive Champions League T20. These two demands made by the co-owner of the team could bring a complete change in the Indian Premier League.

1. IPL Current Format

The first change which has been demanded by Ness Wadia could bring a change in the format of the game. As of now, each team is able to play 14 matches in the league stages. But Wadia wants the number of games each team should be increased by 2, making them 16 in the league stages.

Pic Source: Mashable India

There have been talks to increase the number of matches in the Indian Premier League. However, it still remains unclear on which season the number of games per team would finally be increased. Each team is able to play 14 matches in the current seasons, out of which seven are at home and seven are away.

Moreover, the teams are divided into two groups. Those who are in the same group will have to face each other once, and those who are in different groups will face each other twice, once at home and once at away. Ness Wadia has asked for two more games for each team, and this would change the group format which has been used as of now.

Pic Source: NDTV Sports

With this change, the teams will have to face two of the teams in their group twice in the same season. Arun Dhumal has also hinted that the number of games in the IPL would increase to 94 from the IPL 2028 edition. But there are no talks on increasing the number of games in the upcoming edition of the tournament. Dhumal is currently serving as the Chairman of the Indian Premier League.

2. Revival of Champions League

Another thing which has been demanded by the co-owner of Punjab Kings is the revival of Champions League. This was one of the most fascinating tournaments in the history of the game but it has been more than a decade since it was last played. The tournament was disbanded after its last edition in 2014.

Pic Source: Cricbuzz

With this tournament, the UEFA Champions League format was also replicated to the game of cricket. When it started, it was joined by the BCCI, Cricket Australia, and Cricket South Africa. The teams which ended at the top spots in the T20 tournaments of these countries would gain their spot in the Champions League in the same edition.

It should be noted that the qualification and format of the tournament had changed with each edition. The tournament was eventually stopped with mutual consideration of all three boards. It was the BCCI which made the announcement that the tournament has now been stopped due to lack of interest from the fans.

The announcement said,“This has been a difficult decision as the Champions League T20 provided added context to a number of domestic Twenty 20 competitions around the world such as the IPL in India, Big Bash League in Australia and South Africa's Ram Slam T20. It was a fantastic platform for players from around the world to showcase their talent and the participating teams thoroughly enjoyed the experience over the last six seasons.”

Pic Source: India Today

Telling the reasons behind its closure, the BCCI Secretary Anurag Thakur said,“Unfortunately, off the field, Champions League T20 wasn't sustaining the interest of the fans as we had hoped. This decision was made, after consultation with all our commercial partners and meeting the contractual obligations of all parties involved. The Governing Council would like to thank everyone involved with the CLT20 and all those who participated in the tournament.”

3. CLT20 Revival

The talks on the revival of Champions League T20 have already started. It happened in July 2025, when the Members of the ICC met for a formal annual meeting in Singapore. They discussed to revive the tournament which will have the top teams playing in different T20 leagues. And if everything goes according to their plans, the Champions League would return in the upcoming edition of the tournament.