We support T20 leagues in new territories but nothing on table yet in Saudi Arabia: IPL chairman
New Delhi (PTI): Nearing two decades of existence, brand IPL has become stronger than ever and doesn't see any threat from the growing number of T20 leagues globally, its chairman Arun Dhumal said on Saturday as he steered clear of the speculation swirling around an event backed by Saudi Arabia.
Speaking to PTI as the league enters its 18th edition, Dhumal said the BCCI supports the rise in number of T20 leagues globally, especially in unchartered territories like Saudi Arabia, Europe and the USA. He feels the growth will eventually help the game ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics where cricket will be played.
"There is no point discussing something on the basis of speculation. There is nothing on the table for discussion with everyone (all stakeholders). And as far as my knowledge goes, there is no infrastructure as of now in Saudi Arabia that can cater to a tournament of this scale.
"So, there is no point discussing speculative stories," said the IPL chairman.
Plenty has been reported in international media about the oil-rich Saudi Arabia foraying into cricket over the last two years but nothing concrete has come out of those speculations.
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JD(S), BJP united against 4% Muslim quota: H D Kumaraswamy
Bengaluru: Union Cabinet Minister and JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy has dismissed reports suggesting a lack of coordination between the Janata Dal (Secular) and the BJP in opposing the Karnataka government's decision to provide a 4% reservation for Muslims in government tenders.
In a post on X, Kumaraswamy asserted that both parties are aligned in their stance and have strategised their opposition to the Congress government's decision. He revealed that a meeting of the NDA 'Coordination Committee' was held in Bengaluru before the legislative session, where a blueprint for the protest was formulated.
"The Congress government, solely for electoral gains and vote-bank politics, is ruining the reservation system, which is based on the ideal concept of 'social justice.' By turning reservation into a tool of appeasement, it is misleading the people of the state," Kumaraswamy wrote. He further stated that the JD(S) and BJP have jointly participated in various public struggles and will continue to do so.
His remarks come amid reports that the JD(S) has decided not to support the BJP's agitation against the Muslim quota. Party sources had earlier stated that JD(S) legislators were advised not to join the protest, citing former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda’s role in introducing the 4% Muslim reservation. The party leadership had reportedly earlier clarified that while it would support the BJP on issues like price hikes and corruption, it would not compromise on its ideological position regarding reservations.
Meanwhile, Karnataka BJP leaders have vowed to intensify their protest against the quota. State BJP president B Y Vijayendra announced a statewide campaign to "educate Hindus about the injustice meted out to them by the Congress." Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka had earlier indicated that the party would continue its efforts to convince the JD(S) to participate in the agitation.
It is far from the truth that there is no coordination or agreement between @JanataDal_S and @BJP4Karnataka in the fight against the @INCKarnataka government's decision to provide 4% contract reservation for Muslims. Reports published in some newspapers and news channels are also…
— ಹೆಚ್.ಡಿ.ಕುಮಾರಸ್ವಾಮಿ | H.D.Kumaraswamy (@hd_kumaraswamy) March 24, 2025
