BCCI secretary Jay Shah confident about IPL being allotted a fixed window in the FTP

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Jay Shah is confident that the Indian Premier League (IPL) will be allocated a two-and-a-half-month window by the International Cricket Council (ICC) in their future calendar.

The BCCI aims to increase the IPL to a 10-week tournament, with Shah likely to take up this matter at the ICC's upcoming meeting regarding the Future Tours Programme (FTP).

The Asian Cricket Council head said that a fixed window would allow players from all over the globe to feature in the cash-rich competition. 

Speaking to Reuters, he said: "We are in discussions with the ICC (International Cricket Council) and several other cricket boards to have an exclusive window for the IPL.

"Let me assure you that there will be a two-and-a-half-month window in the next ICC FTP (Future Tours Programme) calendar so that all top international players can participate. Since this tournament benefits all... we have received a positive response from the ICC and other member boards”.

Shah also dismissed claims that the BCCI are planning to add more teams to the 10-a-side league, which saw two new teams, Gujarat Titans and Lucknow Super Giants, compete for the first time in the 2022 edition of the IPL.

"Expanding the IPL further will depend on many factors like expanding the talent pool with no compromise on quality of talent, strengthening grassroots, building the right infrastructure and many other factors," Shah stated.

However, Shah clarified that international cricket remains a top priority for India.

"The BCCI remains committed to international cricket and it's not just the marquee series like India v England or India v Australia.

We want to design a comprehensive calendar where we aim to help associate nations with consistent and regular bilateral tours," Shah concluded.

The BCCI is likely to face opposition from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), who have indicated their disapproval of the IPL being given a fixed window in the FTP.