Saudi Arabia set to challenge India’s dominance in cricket by coming up with GRAND SLAM of cricket 

Saudi Arabia is on its way to challenge India's dominance in cricket by funding a new cricket league, modeled on the lines of the Grand Slam.

Saudi Arabia set to challenge India’s dominance in cricket by coming up with GRAND SLAM of cricket 

Saudi Arabia is ready to invest $500 million on a new cricket league, to challenge India's dominance in the sport. (via X)

The prosperous and rich middle-eastern nation of Saudi Arabia is on the road to inject $500 million into a brand-new cricket league. The proposed eight-team league, would be modeled around the tennis Grand Slam, with teams assembling four times in a year. 

Cricket has become one of the most followed sports globally, with several countries now expressing interest in spending on the development of the game. India dominates world cricket today, as it boasts the largest fan-following among all playing nations. Much of India’s recent success is linked to the cash-rich Indian Premier League. The IPL also virtually controls several other cricket leagues in the world.

YouTube video

Apart from the IPL, Indian business personalities also own other franchises in cricket leagues around the world. Most of the teams in Major League Cricket, SA20 and the Hundred are now owned by Indians or IPL franchises, exerting the nation’s dominance. However, in the face of India’s dominance in cricket, an unusual competitor has now entered the fray. 

Saudi Arabian firm SRJ Investments, headed by former A-League (football) executive Danny Townsend, are ready to invest $500 million in a new cricket world league. SRJ is the sports arm of the state’s $1 trillion sovereign Public Investment Fund. The newly modeled innovative league, is a brainchild of ex-Fijian cricketer, Neil Maxwell. He is also backed by the Australian Cricketers’ Association.

The proposed eight-team league is being pitched as a new source of revenue to tackle issues such as the preservation of Test cricket. Franchises, representing various nations, will meet four times a year, similar to the Grand Slam, with the final being played in Saudi. Sources added that the proposed league would not hamper the international cricket schedule, and would be played in vacant windows.

As the founders claim, smaller nations and players would benefit from the start of this league. The new Saudi-backed league has been drawn up to set an alternative revenue source. However, one major hurdle in the fulfillment of this new league’s dream is the approval of the International Cricket Council. It is headed by Indian cricket administrator Jay Shah, who was until recently the secretary of the BCCI.

Should the league gain the assent of the ICC, it would mark Saudi Arabia’s greater clout in sports over the last five years. The oil-producing nation has already invested in LIV Golf and Formula One. Meanwhile, the Saudi PL has also become one of the most lucrative football destinations. Global football stars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar Jr. and Karim Benzema are associated with it. 

Saudi Arabia set to bring in new investment, fueling cricket’s global expansion

Saudi Arabia has been making huge strides and investment in sports. The nation has already made its mark by grabbing the hosting rights for the 2034 FIFA Men’s World Cup. It is now on its way to enter into the cricketing sphere, as it remains the second-most popular sport in the world. 

Saudi Arabia cricket
Saudi Arabia is making strides in cricket, over the last few years. (via Arab News)

The nation’s ties with India have helped it gain ground in cricket in recent years. State-owned companies, Visit Saudi and Saudi Aramco, have signed long term deals with the IPL and the ICC, respectively. The 2025 IPL auction, held in Jeddah, also added the country as a new cricketing destination. Moreover, Saudi businesses have also invested in teams in the Hundred, England’s 100-ball cricket league.

Cricket still remains a nascent sport in the middle-east. However, the UAE and Oman’s involvement could spur Saudi’s greater push in developing it in the country. Sports remain a part of Saudi’s futuristic ‘Vision 2023’. Moreover, it would also allow the country to draw focus away from the issues of human-rights abuse.