Indian Premier League Schedule is Not Related to Lodha Panel, Says Rajeev Shukla

Indian Premier League chairman Rajeev Shukla said that the scheduling of the league has not been related to Lodha Panel recommendations about having a 15-day gap between start of the cash-rich league and India's national calender. (IPL Auction 2016: Shane Watson Costliest Player so Far, Pawan Negi Highest Amongst the Indians)

The IPL is scheduled to begin on April 9 this year.

"IPL scheduling has nothing to do with Lodha recommendations. We are going ahead with our schedule and everything," Shukla said on sidelines of the IPL auctions. (In Indian Premier League 2016 Auction, Old is 'Not' Gold)

IPL's chief operating officer Ratnakar Shetty reckoned that this is the best is possible window to conduct IPL games.

"I am sure that when we prepare the schedule for the season, there are several factors that are taken into account and the best possible window that is available to BCCI for the IPL is concerned. I am sure we will be able to put across our views to the committee," said Shetty. (Indian Premier League Auction 2016: List of Players Sold and Unsold)

Replying to another query, Shukla said the mushrooming cricket leagues across the globe, are no match to the IPL.

"No league is near to IPL. So let them run their leagues, but I don't think they can really compete with IPL and match with it," he said.

"Everybody is entitled to launch its own league, we can't prevent them, but IPL stand alone is doing very well, and as I said before IPL 9 will be bigger than the previous editions," he said.

Shukla said IPL will grow further even as BCCI is adding new elements to it including increasing live telecast to many more countries.

"IPL will grow further. It will have its own mark throughout the world. We are adding new elements to it. We are going to increase our telecast to many more countries," he added.