IPL Chairman Clarifies Saudi Investment Speculations
By Gurlal Singh
Cricket Player who is writing about cricket now.
Posted: April 30, 2025
Last updated: May 2, 2025
IPL chairman Arun Dhumal has recently addressed speculations regarding potential investments from Saudi Arabia in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Dhumal clarified that no formal proposals have been made regarding Saudi Arabia investing in the league. Despite increased interest from Saudi state-backed entities in cricket, there have been no direct investment discussions pertaining to the IPL.
Saudi Arabia has shown growing interest in cricket, with sponsorships from its state-backed companies such as Aramco, Visit Saudi, and Neom in the IPL and its franchises. These developments have fueled reports and speculations, but Dhumal reiterated that there have been no formal dialogues between IPL/BCCI and Saudi Cricket about an investment in the IPL.
Notably, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) held the IPL mega-auction in Jeddah in November 2024. This move is part of their efforts to promote cricket development in new regions, including Saudi Arabia. However, the auction’s location should not be misconstrued as an indication of investment ties.
In addition to these efforts, reports suggest that Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund is considering setting up a global T20 league, intended to be similar to tennis Grand Slams in stature. Dhumal has made it clear that the IPL is not associated with Saudi Arabia’s plans for its own T20 league initiative.
In conclusion, while Saudi Arabia’s interest in cricket is evident through its sponsorships and strategic engagements, as of now, there have been no formal investments or commitments from the kingdom in the IPL. The BCCI remains dedicated to promoting cricket globally, as reflected in its initiatives to showcase the sport in new regions.
19:30 IST
