DOHA: I can’t help but be intrigued by Saudi Arabia’s growing interest in the sport and its potential plans to launch a global T20 league that could rival the mighty Indian Premier League (IPL).
On Tuesday, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) chief executive Richard Gould said they would not support the proposed league bankrolled by Saudi Arabia because there was not enough room in the calendar for it.
Reports have been circulating about KSA efforts to create a franchise-based competition, and it’s clear that this initiative aligns with Saudi Arabia’s larger Vision 2030 strategy, which aims to diversify its economy and increase its global influence.
With cricket’s massive following in South Asia, particularly in India, and its expanding global reach, it makes sense for Saudi Arabia to be eyeing a stake in the sport.
Saudi Arabia’s SRJ Sports Investments, a branch of the country’s $1 trillion sovereign wealth fund, is reportedly exploring an ambitious $500 million global T20 league.
The idea is inspired by tennis Grand Slams, with eight teams playing across four locations annually. This would not only complement the existing international cricket calendar but also bring in much-needed revenue to support Test cricket outside the traditional “big three”—India, Australia, and England.
But there’s a catch: this league would need approval from the International Cricket Council (ICC), which is currently under the leadership of Jay Shah.
Shah has close ties to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the IPL’s governing body.
If there’s any friction here, it’s bound to make this journey more complicated.
The IPL, for all its flaws, has become the gold standard in franchise cricket. It’s worth over $1.2 billion, and it’s not just about the money—it’s about the unrivalled fanbase, top-tier talent, and the BCCI’s iron grip on cricket’s global economy.
India’s dominance is so pronounced that it has imposed strict regulations to keep its players exclusively in the IPL, making it tough for any foreign competition to lure marquee names.
For Saudi Arabia, this means a direct challenge to the IPL’s model would be a monumental task.
However, Saudi Arabia isn’t starting from scratch.
Cricket already has a foothold there, largely driven by South Asian expatriates, and the Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation has been active since 2003. It has earned ICC associate status in 2016.
The national team has had some success, including winning the 2023 ACC Men’s Challenger Cup.
And with Jeddah hosting the 2025 IPL mega auction, it’s clear that the kingdom has been making serious moves in cricket, with sponsorships from powerhouses like Saudi Aramco and Visit Saudi further solidifying their intentions.
Could this new league work?
I believe Saudi Arabia has the financial resources and ambition to disrupt established sports markets.
From LIV Golf to football investments, they’ve shown they’re not afraid to go toe-to-toe with the big players.
A unique T20 league with a global format could carve out a niche, particularly if it taps into underserved markets or even focuses on growing women’s cricket alongside the men’s game.
Still, the road to challenging IPL supremacy would be fraught with hurdles—whether it’s the BCCI’s near-total control over players, the crowded cricket calendar, or Saudi Arabia’s relatively underdeveloped domestic cricket infrastructure.
At the end of the day, it might not be about toppling the IPL directly but finding a way to work within the cricket ecosystem.
Perhaps Saudi Arabia could act as a partner to India, rather than a direct competitor.
For now, it feels like a strategic play—an ambitious step into a market where they hope to gain more influence rather than attempting to challenge a titan head-on.
But the world of cricket is unpredictable, and I wouldn’t rule anything out.
