IPL chairman dismisses concerns over Saudi T20 league

Arun Dhumal, the chairman of the Indian Premier League (IPL), has addressed recent discussions about a new T20 league backed by Saudi Arabia. Reports suggest that this league would feature eight teams and be organized in a format similar to tennis's Grand Slam tournaments. Dhumal emphasized that there is no real concern about competition from this potential league. He mentioned that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) supports the growth of T20 leagues globally. However, he noted that discussing speculative stories about the Saudi league isn't productive, as there hasn't been any official proposal or infrastructure for such a tournament in Saudi Arabia. He expressed a welcoming attitude toward more T20 leagues emerging, viewing them not as threats, but as opportunities to grow the sport. Dhumal pointed out the IPL's strong position, as it is one of the most valuable leagues in the world. IPL franchises are already expanding into other leagues, like South Africa's SA20 and The Hundred in England. Overall, Dhumal stated that enhancing the IPL and supporting cricket's expansion in places like Saudi Arabia or the U.S. is the priority, rather than worrying about new competitions.