[FuzzyRussianHat]

Between 1975 and 2010, India’s population doubled to more than one billion and by the 2020s, India had passed China as the most populous country in the world. Baseball’s popularity had grown significantly in the region since the last expansions for South Asia Baseball in the 2000s. The Indian League’s last expansion came specifically in 2004 and officials felt they were due for another one.

At this point, both the IL and Southeast Asia League had 14 teams, although they were organized differently with the IL in three divisions and SEAL in two. SEAL officials also had hoped to expand relatively soon, but there weren’t quite as many viable cities available. SAB officials also didn’t want to do too much too quickly to dilute the talent pool. By the early 2020s, it was eventually decided to expand the Indian League by four teams.

Since 2004, the IL had two divisions with five teams and one with four. The expansion would bring all three divisions to an even six apiece. No teams would be shifted out of their existing divisions. Filling the two spots in the West Division would be the Indore Razorbacks and the Vadodara RedHawks. The Madurai Rams occupied the South Division opening and the Patna Pointers picked up the slot in the Central Division.



The playoff structure remained unchanged with only the three division winners and one wild card advancing. SEAL would remain unchanged until they opted to add their own four new teams for the 2030 season.